GIFT   OF 


GENERAL  W.  T.  SHERMAN 
AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


WILLIAM  TI-CUMSEH  SHERMAN,   1860 

From  a  painting  by  Colonel  S.  H.  Lockett,  owned  by 
Louisiana  State  University 


GENERAL  W.  T.  SHERMAN 
AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

A  collection  of  letters,  documents,  and  other 
material,  chiefly  from  private  sources,  relating 
to  the  life  and  activities  of  General  William 
Tecumseh  Sherman,  to  the  early  years  ol 
Louisiana  State  University,  and  to  the  stirring 
conditions  existing  in  the  South  on  the  eve  of 
the  Civil  War;  1859-1861 


Collected  and  edited  by 
WALTER  L.  FLEMING,  PH.D. 

Professor  of  history,  Louisiana  State  University 


CLEVELAND,  OHIO 

THE  ARTHUR  H.  CLARK  COMPANY 

1912 


COPYRIGHT,    1912,   BY 

WALTER  L.   FLEMING 


N 


CONTENTS 

PREFACE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .11 

INTRODUCTION  .            .            .            .            .            .  13 

I  ELECTION    OF    THE    SEMINARY    FACULTY.    SHERMAN 

COMES  SOUTH  .             .             .             .             .  19 

II  PREPARING  FOR  THE  OPENING  OF  THE  SEMINARY        .  47 

III  THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION            .            .  97 

IV  STUDENT  TROUBLES- SHERMAN  PLANS  TO  GO  TO  ENG 

LAND    .  .  .  .  .  .  .137 

V  THE  REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        .            .  197 

VI  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION        .            .            .  235 

VII  THE  VACATION   OF  1860:  OHIO,  WASHINGTON,  NEW 

YORK  .......  253 

VIII  THE  SECOND  SESSION.  THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION     .  295 

IX  SECESSION  -  SUPERINTENDENT   SHERMAN  RESIGNS      .  335 

X  To  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH  .            .            .  365 
INDEX  .                          ......  385 


*  r; 


;  o  r>  4 
j  t>  i  4- 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

WILLIAM  TECUMSEH   SHERMAN,    1860         .  .     Frontispiece 

THE  FIRST  FACULTY:  William  Tecumseh  Sherman,  Powhatan 

Clarke,  Anthony  Vallas,  D.  F.  Boyd,  Francis  W.  Smith     .       27 
GROUND  FLOOR  PLAN  OF  THE  LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY 
[text  cut]     .  .  .  .  .  .  .31 

Drawn  from  notes  and  plan  accompanying  General  Graham's  letter  to 
Sherman. 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  IN  1860  .  .  .  -49 

LETTER  OF  MAJOR  P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD  TO  SHERMAN  (three 
plates)    .  .  .  .  .  .  .111-115 

SHERMAN'S  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  STATE  CADETS  (two  plates)     227-229 
SHERMAN'S  LETTER  TO  GENERAL  G.  M.  GRAHAM      .  -355 


PREFACE 

For  assistance  in  gathering  and  preparing  the  ma 
terial  printed  in  this  book  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindly 
services  of  many  friends,  especially  to  Philemon  Tecum- 
seh  Sherman  of  New  York  City,  who  has  permitted 
the  use  of  all  letters  and  documents  in  his  possession 
relating  to  his  father's  life  in  Louisiana;  to  Leroy  S. 
Boyd,  Esq.,  of  Washington,  D.C.,  who  has  turned  over 
to  me  a  mass  of  manuscript,  pamphlet,  and  newspaper 
material  relating  to  the  early  history  of  the  Seminary; 
to  President  Thomas  D.  Boyd  and  Professors  Albert 
M.  Herget  and  William  O.  Scroggs,  of  Louisiana  State 
University,  who  have  given  material  assistance  in  the 
collection  and  preparation  of  the  documentary  material. 
My  wife  and  her  mother,  Mrs.  David  F.  Boyd,  the 
widow  of  Sherman's  most  intimate  friend  in  Louisiana, 
and  Miss  Theo  Jones,  have  assisted  me  greatly  in  veri 
fying  names  and  dates  and  in  deciphering  crabbed  hand 
writing. 

WALTER  L.  FLEMING. 

Louisiana  State  University,  Baton  Rouge,  La. 
August,   19 1 1 


INTRODUCTION 

Purpose  of  the  collection.  Sherman's  plan  for  such  a  publication.  His 
brief  account  of  the  organization  of  the  Seminary.  Sources  of  the  material 
here  reprinted.  The  organization  of  the  Seminary. 

The  purpose  of  this  work  is  to  bring  together  upon 
the  occasion  of  the  semicentennial  of  the  organization 
of  Louisiana  State  University  the  material,  chiefly  docu 
mentary,  relating  to  the  beginnings  of  the  Louisiana 
State  Seminary  (now  the  Louisiana  State  University) 
and  to  the  life  in  Louisiana  of  William  Tecumseh 
Sherman,  the  first  executive  of  the  institution.  Late  in 
life  General  Sherman  planned  such  a  collection  and 
gathered  material  for  it,  but  he  did  not  publish  it.  In 
1889  he  wrote  the  following  prefatory  statement  to  a 
collection  of  letters  and  papers  which  with  considerable 
additions  are  here  published: 

In  Sherman's  Memoirs,  published  by  the  Appletons,  volume  i, 
pages  172-193,  will  be  found  a  brief  statement  of  the  public 
events  in  Louisiana  with  which  I  was  connected,  and  which  im 
mediately  preceded  the  great  Civil  War.  I  now  propose  to 
supplement  that  statement  by  preparing  in  advance,  not  with  any 
purpose  of  immediate  publication,  but  rather  for  preservation  in 
a  convenient  form,  a  series  of  letters  which  seem  to  me  may 
become  of  value  to  posterity. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Louisiana 
State  Seminary  of  Learning,  at  Alexandria,  Aug.  2,  1859,  I  was 
elected  professor  of  engineering,  architecture,  and  drawing  and 
superintendent  thereof.  The  action  of  the  board  was  wholly 
the  result  of  the  recommendation  of  Major  Don  Carlos  Buell, 
then  in  Washington,  and  of  Gen.  G.  Mason  Graham,  half- 
brother  to  my  old  chief,  Gen.  [R.  B.]  Mason,  in  California. 


i4  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


This  institution  was  designed  to  be  a  military  college,  and 
was  located  three  miles  north  of  Alexandria,  a  town  of  some 
importance  on  the  south  bank,  and  about  a  hundred  miles  up 
Red  River.  The  funds  for  its  maintenance  were  the  proceeds 
of  sales  of  public  lands  donated  by  the  national  Congress  for 
this  very  purpose  and  held  by  the  state  in  trust.  The  main 
building  was  already  finished;  was  in  every  way  suitable  and 
appropriate  and  over  the  main  entrance  was  inscribed :  "By 
the  liberality  of  the  general  government,  the  Union  —  Esto  per- 
petua." 

The  general  control  of  this  institution  was  committed  to  a 
Board  of  Supervisors,  citizens  of  the  State,  of  which  the  Gov 
ernor  was  ex-officio  the  president. 

Accordingly  I  first  reported  to  Governor  Wickliffe  at  Baton 
Rouge,  the  state  capital,  who  informed  me  that  the  cares  of  his 
office  engrossed  his  whole  time,  and  that  he  wanted  me  to  go  on 
to  Alexandria  to  confer  with  his  successor,  Governor-elect 
Thomas  O.  Moore,  and  to  co-operate  fully  with  Gen.  G.  Mason 
Graham,  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  who  was  in  fact 
the  real  creator  of  the  institution,  and  resided  on  his  cotton  plan 
tation,  "Tyrone,"  nine  miles  above  Alexandria,  on  the  right  or 
south  bank  of  Red  River  (or  its  overflow  channel,  Bayou  Rap- 
ides),  whereas  the  Academy  was  on  the  left  or  north  bank  in  the 
pine  woods,  on  high  and  healthy  ground. 

I  then  proceeded  to  Alexandria  by  stage,  stopping  over  night 
with  Gov.-elect  Moore  on  Bayou  Robert,  and  then  to  Gen. 
Graham's  plantation,  where  we  soon  began  the  work  of  prep 
aration.  The  professors  had  already  been  chosen  at  the  same 
time  with  myself,  and  were  within  call. 

Gen.  Graham  and  I  soon  got  to  work  agreeing  perfectly  that 
we  should  make  a  start  on  the  ist  day  of  January,  1860  and 
should  be  ready  to  provide  for  and  instruct  about  one  hundred 
cadets.  We  had  a  limited  amount  of  money,  and  everything 
had  to  be  supplied  in  advance.  A  Mr.  Jarreau  was  selected  as 
steward.  Tables,  benches,  blackboards,  etc.  had  to  be  manu 
factured  on  the  spot,  and  text  books,  bedding,  and  room  fur 
niture  bought  in  New  Orleans.  Regulations  had  to  be  prepared 
and  printed,  circulars  had  to  be  prepared  and  circulated.  All 
was  accomplished  and  practical  instruction  was  begun  on  the 
1st  of  January,  1860. 


INTRODUCTION  15 


The  letters  herewith  will  give  a  far  better  understanding  of 
the  private  thoughts  and  feelings  of  the  men  who  afterwards 
bore  conspicuous  parts  in  the  Civil  War  than  any  naked  narra 
tive,  and  I  merely  intend  this  as  a  preface  to  them. 
New  York,  Dec.  I,  1889.  W.  T.  S. 

The  collection  here  printed  was  gathered  from  vari 
ous  sources.  It  contains  the  letters  collected  by  Sher 
man  himself ;  other  letters  written  by  him  or  to  him,  and 
furnished  to  the  editor  by  his  son,  P.  T.  Sherman,  Esq. ; 
a  few  extracts  from  Sherman's  Personal  Memoirs 
which  serve  better  than  editorial  matter  to  connect  the 
letters;  letters  and  documents  from  the  archives  of 
Louisiana  State  University;  and  correspondence  relat 
ing  to  the  Seminary  from  General  G.  Mason  Graham, 
Major  P.  G.  T.  Beauregard,  Captain  George  B. 
McClellan,  Captain  Braxton  Bragg,  Governors  Wick- 
liffe  and  Moore,  and  Dr.  S.  A.  Smith. 

These  letters  and  documents  will  serve  not  only  to 
show  the  beginnings  of  Louisiana  State  University,  and 
Sherman's  part  therein,  as  well  as  his  views  upon  prob 
lems  then  agitating  the  nation,  but  they  will  throw  light 
upon  the  social  and  political  conditions  of  the  time,  and 
upon  the  feelings  and  actions  of  the  southern  leaders  on 
the  eve  of  the  Civil  War. 

The  Louisiana  State  Seminary  (since  1870  called  the 
Louisiana  State  University) ,  which  opened  its  doors  on 
January  2,  1860,  was  the  first  institution  of  college  grade 
in  Louisiana  to  enjoy  the  undivided  support  of  the 
state,  and  of  the  numerous  colleges  and  universities, 
supported  by  the  state,  it  alone  has  survived.  It  corre 
sponds  to  the  state  universities  of  other  states  which 
were  established  on  the  foundation  of  Federal  land- 
grants,  but  it  was  organized  much  later  than  the  uni 
versities  of  states  no  older  than  Louisiana.  This  delay 


16  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

in  establishing  a  state  seminary  or  university  was  due  to 
conditions  within  Louisiana:  there  was  a  lack  of  homo 
geneity  in  the  population  of  French  and  Anglo-Amer 
icans  -  each  with  its  distinctive  ideals  and  religion;  the 
educational  system  was  decentralised  and  each  geo 
graphic  section,  each  church  party,  each  nationality 
claimed  its  state-subsidized  college. 

This  decentralized  system  was  continued  with  some 
what  unsatisfactory  results  until  near  the  middle  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  when  by  the  constitutions  of  1845 
and  1852  a  state  system  of  public  schools  was  inaugu 
rated  and  a  single  state  supported  "Seminary"  author 
ized.  The  Seminary  was  to  receive  in  addition  to  state 
appropriations  the  income  from  the  sales  of  the  public 
lands  donated  by  the  Federal  government  to  the  state  of 
Louisiana  in  1806,  1811,  and  1827  "for  the  support  of  a 
seminary  of  learning."  These  lands  were  not  placed  on 
the  market  until  1844.  From  1845  to  1852  the  legisla 
ture  wrangled  over  the  question  of  the  location  of  the 
school.  In  the  latter  year  it  was  decided  to  locate  it 
near  Alexandria  in  the  Parish  of  Rapides;  and  in  1853 
a  site  was  selected  three  miles  from  Alexandria  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Red  River.  In  1859  the  buildings 
were  completed  and  a  faculty  selected. 

The  leader  in  all  matters  relating  to  the  Seminary 
from  1845  to  1860  was  General  George  Mason  Graham, 
a  Virginian,  educated  at  West  Point,  and  a  veteran  of 
the  Mexican  War.  It  was  largely  through  his  influence 
that  William  Tecumseh  Sherman  was  elected  superin 
tendent  of  the  State  Seminary.  Sherman,  who  was  born 
in  Ohio  in  1820,  was  graduated  from  West  Point  in 
1840,  and  after  several  years'  service  in  southern  posts, 
was  on  staff  service  in  California  under  General  Roger 


INTRODUCTION  17 


B.  Mason,  a  half  brother  of  General  G.  Mason  Graham. 
He  resigned  from  the  army  in  1853  an(*  was  for  several 
years  a  banker  in  California  and  New  York.  At  the 
time  of  his  election  he  was  practising  law  in  Leaven- 
worth,  Kansas. 

WALTER  L.  FLEMING. 


I.    ELECTION  OF  THE  SEMINARY  FACULTY 
SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH 


Meeting  of  the  supervisors  in  May,  1859.  The  Seminary  to  be  a  literary 
and  scientific  institution  under  a  military  system  of  government.  Advertise 
ments  for  professors.  Description  of  the  building  and  grounds.  D.  C.  Buell 
writes  to  Sherman  about  the  Seminary.  The  election  of  a  faculty  for  the 
Seminary.  Graham's  account  of  the  building  and  the  professors.  Sherman's 
plans  for  the  Seminary.  Advice  of  Captain  George  B.  McClellan  relative 
to  the  organization  of  the  Seminary.  Sherman's  views  on  John  Brown,  slavery, 
and  secession.  Sherman  arrives  in  Baton  Rouge. 

In  May  1859  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  State  Seminary 
met  at  Alexandria  and  by  a  majority  vote  decided  that  the  new 
college  should  be  "a  literary  and  scientific  institution  under  a 
military  system  of  government,  on  a  program  and  plan  similar 
to  that  of  the  Virginia  Military  Institute."  The  several  depart 
ments  of  instruction  were  established,  and  the  salaries  fixed.  In 
order  to  secure  the  most  competent  professors  Governor  Wick- 
lifre  was  asked  to  advertise  for  applications.  The  following 
statement,  taken  from  the  National  Intelligencer,  July  4,  l859> 
Washington,  D.C.,  was  published  widely  over  the  South  and 
the  North. 

EXECUTIVE  OFFICE,  BATON  ROUGE,  LA.,  May  10,  1859. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  State 
Seminary  of  Learning,  held  at  Alexandria,  in  the  Parish 
of  Rapides,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

RESOLVED,  that  the  President  of  the  Board,  in  his 
official  capacity,  advertise  for  applications  from  persons 
competent  to  fill  : 

i.  A  professorship  of  mathematics,  natural  and  ex 
perimental  philosophy,  with  artillery  tactics;  to  which 
office  shall  be  attached  a  salary  of  twenty-five  hundred 
dollars  per  annum  -  $2,500. 


20  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

2.  The  office  of  instructor  of  English  and  ancient 
languages;  to  which  office  shall  be  attached  a  salary  of 
two  thousand  dollars  per  annum  -  $2,000. 

3.  Instructor  of  engineering,  architecture,  and  draw 
ing;  to  which  office  shall  be  attached  a  salary  of  twenty- 
five  hundred  dollars  -  $2,500. 

4.  The  office  of  instructor  of  chemistry,  geology,  and 
mineralogy,  and  of  infantry  tactics ;  to  which  office  shall 
be  attached  a  salary  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  per 
annum-  $2,500. 

5.  The  office  of  instructor  of  the  modern  European 
languages ;  to  which  office  shall  be  attached  a  salary  of 
two  thousand  dollars  per  annum  -  $2,000. 

From  the  five  professors  selected  a  superintendent 
will  be  chosen,  who  shall  receive  one  thousand  dol 
lars  -  $1,000  -  extra  consideration  in  virtue  thereof. 

Furnished  rooms  to  be  provided  to  the  professors  free 
of  charge. 

In  accordance  with  the  foregoing  resolution,  notice 
is  hereby  given  to  all  such  persons  as  may  desire  to  pre 
sent  themselves  as  competent  to  fill  the  chairs  above 
enumerated,  to  make  application,  accompanied  with 
recommendations,  etc.,  to  me,  at  the  Executive  Office  at 
Baton  Rouge,  until  the  i^th  day  of  July,  and  after  that 
time  at  Alexandria,  in  the  Parish  of  Rapides,  until  the 
ist  day  of  August,  1859;  at  which  time  and  place  the 
selections  will  be  made  to  fill  the  several  professorships 
and  a  superintendent  chosen. 

The  appointments  thus  made  will  take  effect  on  the 
first  Monday  of  January  next  (1860) ,  at  which  time  the 
institution  will  be  opened. 

The  same  issue  of  the  National  Intelligencer  contained  the 
following  editorial  written  by  General  G.  Mason  Graham,  vice- 
president  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

In  another  column  will  be  found  the  advertisement 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  21 

of  Governor  R.  C.  Wickliffe,  president,  ex-officio,  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Seminary  of  Learning 
of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  inviting  applications  from 
persons  competent  to  do  so  and  desirous  of  filling  the 
five  chairs  and  the  office  of  superintendent  in  that  insti 
tution.  .  . 

This  institution,  which  is  about  to  be  organized  as  a 
scientific  and  literary  institution,  under  a  military  sys 
tem  of  government,  on  a  programme  and  plan  similar 
to  that  of  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  at  Lexington, 
in  Virginia,  is  founded  on  a  fund  arising  from  the  sales 
of  land  given  by  the  general  government  many  years  ago 
to  the  Territory  of  Orleans  for  the  establishment  of  a 
Seminary  of  Learning.  The  principal  of  this  fund  is, 
by  the  constitution  of  Louisiana,  perpetually  invested, 
at  interest,  in  the  hands  of  the  state;  the  interest  alone 
to  be  used  in  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  the 
school. 

The  really  beautiful  building  for  this  institution,  the 
main  bodies  of  which  are  of  three  lofty  stories,  capped 
by  a  heavy  cornice-wall  finished  in  crennel  work,  and 
the  five  towers  are  of  four  stories,  terminating  in  circu 
lar  turrets,  built  on  three  sides  of  a  quadrangle,  one 
hundred  and  seventy  feet  front  by  one  hundred  and  sev 
enteen  feet  deep,  with  back  buildings  in  reverse,  so  as 
to  leave  the  fourth  side  of  the  area  entirely  open,  is  lo 
cated  in  the  open  pine  hills,  where  the  trees  have  a 
growth  of  seventy-five  feet  and  upwards  to  the  branches, 
unobstructed  by  undergrowth,  on  a  tract  of  four  hun 
dred  acres  owned  by  the  institution;  about  three  miles 
from  the  village  of  Pineville,  on  the  north  side  of  Red 
River  opposite  to  the  town  of  Alexandria,  with  which 
it  is  connected  by  a  steam-ferry. 

Alexandria-  distant  about  thirty  to  thirty-five  hours 


22  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

by  steamboat  from  New  Orleans  -  is  a  distributing  post 
office,  with  a  daily  mail  from  New  Orleans,  and  lines  of 
four-horse  post  coaches  running  north,  south,  east,  and 
west  from  it -contains  a  Catholic,  an  Episcopal,  and  a 
Methodist  Church,  the  Episcopal  Church  having  a 
chapel  in  Pineville. 

Early  in  1859  Sherman  was  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of 
Sherman,  Ewing  and  McCook  of  Leavenworth,  Kansas.  Hav 
ing  decided  to  look  for  a  more  lucrative  position,  he  wrote  to 
the  War  Department  asking  about  possible  vacancies  in  the  Pay 
Department.  In  reply  Major  D.  C.  Buell  sent  to  him  the  ad 
vertisements  given  above,  and  the  following  letter. 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.,  June  17,  1859. 

DEAR  SHERMAN:  I  received  your  letter  this  morning. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  make  declarations  when  you  already 
know  so  well  that  it  would  give  me  sincere  pleasure  to 
serve  you.  At  present  I  see  nothing  of  the  kind  you 
mention  to  suggest  to  you,  but  I  will  look  about  with 
hope  that  I  may.  There  is  no  certainty  of  a  vacancy  in 
the  Pay  Department,  though  one  of  its  members  is  now 
in  serious  difficulty  about  his  account.  If  a  vacancy 
should  occur  I  know  no  reason  why  you  should  not  en 
deavor  to  secure  it,  and  succeed,  too,  if  it  were  depen 
dent  on  the  merits  which  your  case  could  be  made  to 
present. 

You  must  remember,  however,  that  in  these  times 
everything  turns  on  political  or  other  influence.  If  you 
can  bring  that  kind  of  influence  to  bear  on  the  President 
let  it  be  done  at  once  to  secure  a  promise  of  the  first 
vacancy;  for  it  would  be  filled  before  I  could  even  get 
the  news  to  you  by  telegraph  after  it  had  occurred,  so 
ready  and  pressing  are  the  aspirants.  .  . 

In  the  meantime,  however,  I  enclose  you  a  paper 
which  presents  an  opening  that  I  have  been  disposed  to 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  23 

think  well  of.  The  only  trouble  is  that  the  Academy  has 
not  yet  been  secured  by  state  laws,  though  I  think  it  al 
together  probable  that  it  will  be.  If  you  could  secure 
one  of  the  professorships  and  the  superintendency,  as  I 
think  you  could,  it  would  give  the  handsome  salary  of 
$3,500.  The  paper  is  sent  to  me  by  [George]  Mason 
Graham,  General  [R.  B.]  Mason's  half-brother,  and  ex 
plains  the  whole  matter.  If  you  think  well  of  it  I  have 
no  doubt  I  can  write  him  such  a  letter  as  will  secure  you 
a  valuable  advocate  at  first,  and  a  useful  supporter  after 
wards.  You  will  observe  there  is  not  much  time  to 
spare.  .  . 

[Endorsement  by  Sherman  in  1889.]  This  was  the 
first  suggestion  received  by  me  on  this  subject,  and  to 
Gen.  Buell  I  owe  my  election  as  superintendent  of  the 
Louisiana  Seminary  of  Learning.  He  was  seconded  by 
Gen.  G.  Mason  Graham,  half-brother  to  my  old  chief  in 
California,  Col.  R.  B.  Mason.  Generals  Bragg  and 
Beauregard  did  not  even  know  I  was  an  applicant. 

W.  T.  S.] 

The  advertisements  attracted  much  attention  and  nearly  a 
hundred  applications  for  professorships  were  received.  General 
Graham,  vice-president  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  who  was 
determined  that  a  military  man  should  head  the  school,  had 
carried  on  a  wide  correspondence  with  a  view  to  the  selection  of 
a  suitable  person.  Having  decided  upon  Sherman  as  best  quali 
fied  for  the  superintendency  he  proceeded  to  use  the  press  in  his 
behalf.  The  following,  from  the  Louisiana  Democrat  [Alex 
andria,  La.]  of  July  20,  1859,  is  an  editorial  written  by  General 
Graham. 

It  is  stated  that  Captain  W.  T.  Sherman  is  one  of  the 
applicants  for  a  professorship  in  our  new  State  Semi 
nary,  and  also  for  the  position  of  the  superintendency. 
He  graduated  at  West  Point  in  the  class  of  1840  and 
stood  No.  6  on  the  merit  roll.  He  was  commissioned  in 


24  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

the  artillery  and  did  his  first  service  in  California  as 
adjutant-general  for  General  R.  B.  Mason.  He  was 
brevetted  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  and  was 
subsequently  appointed  a  captain  in  the  general  staff  of 
the  army.  He  resigned  in  '53  to  take  control  of  the 
business  of  an  extensive  banking  house  in  California 
which  he  managed  with  great  skill.  During  his  resi 
dence  there  he  was  made  general  of  militia.  Captain 
Sherman  is  spoken  of  as  "standing  high  in  the  army  as  a 
scholar,  soldier,  and  a  gentleman  -  a  man  of  great  firm 
ness  and  discretion  and  eminently  remarkable  for  his 
executive  and  administrative  qualities. 

From  what  we  can  hear  there  seems  to  be  no  room  to 
fear  an  insufficient  number  of  applicants  for  professor 
ships  in  the  Seminary.  The  greater  the  list  the  better 
enabled  will  the  Board  of  Supervisors  be  to  make  a 
good  selection.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  reputation, 
learning  and  ability  of  the  corps  of  professors  will  be 
such  as  to  render  our  new  Seminary  one  of  the  fore 
most  institutions  of  the  South. 

The  supervisors,  on  August  2,  1859,  proceeded  to  the  elec 
tion  of  the  first  faculty  of  the  Seminary.  The  Louisiana  Dem 
ocrat  of  August  3  gives  this  account  of  the  proceedings. 

Agreeably  to  adjournment  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  the  Louisiana  State  Seminary  met  on  Monday,  Aug. 
i st.  His  Excellency,  Governor  Wickliffe,  president  ex 
officio  of  the  Board,  presided.  The  members  in  atten 
dance  were  T.  C.  Manning,  Esq.,  Gen.  G.  Mason  Gra 
ham,  Col.  Walter  O.  Winn,  S.  W.  Henarie,  Esq.,  Hon. 
M.  Ryan,  Hon.  P.  F.  Keary,  Hon.  J.  A.  Bynum,  Hon. 
W.  W.  Whittington,  Hon.  W.  L.  Sanford,  Col.  Fenelon 
Cannon. 

The  principal  business  before  the  Board  was  the  se 
lection  of  a  superintendent  and  a  corps  of  professors  for 
the  Seminary.  Some  idea  of  the  difficulty  of  their  task 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH 25 

may  be  formed  from  the  fact  that  there  were  forty  ap 
plicants  for  the  chair  of  ancient  languages,  twenty  for 
that  of  mathematics,  nine  for  that  of  modern  languages, 
nine  for  that  of  chemistry  and  mineralogy,  and  three  for 
that  of  engineering. 

These  applicants  were  from  all  sections,  Maine,  New 
Hampshire,  the  northwest,  Kentucky,  Virginia, 
Georgia;  and  even  graduates  of  European  universities 
were  among  the  candidates.  One  enterprising  person,  a 
Mr.  Goodwyn,  Ichabod  Goodwyn,  was  candid  enough 
to  acknowledge  himself  a  "republican"  ("Black  Re 
publican"  in  politics,  but  trusted  that  the  little  circum 
stance  would  make  no  difference!)  Mr.  G.  will  have 
his  name  registered  in  the  list  of  unsuccessful  candidates. 
The  Board  would  have  admired  his  candor  if  they  had 
not  been  astonished  at  his  impudence.  Mr.  G.  would  be 
a  splendid  superintendent  of  a  brass  button  manufac 
tory.  Teachers  enough  for  the  young  men  of  Louisiana 
can  be  found  without  employing  any  of  Greeley's  braz 
en  faced  disciples.  We  shall  refer  to  Mr.  Goodwyn's 
application  again  hereafter. 

After  full  examinations  of  certificates,  the  Board 
made  choice  of  the  following: 

Major  W.  T.  Sherman,  superintendent,  and  professor 
of  engineering,  architecture,  and  drawing;  Anthony 
Vallas,  PH.D.,  professor  of  mathematics  and  of  natural 
and  experimental  philosophy;  Francis  W.  Smith,  A.M., 
professor  of  chemistry  and  mineralogy;  E.  Berte  St 
Ange,  professor  of  modern  languages ;  D.  F.  Boyd,  A.M., 
professor  of  ancient  languages. 

Of  Major  Sherman's  qualifications,  we  have  spoken 
in  a  recent  issue.  Dr.  Vallas,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Uni 
versity  of  Pesth,  Hungary,  in  which  institution  he  has 
filled  with  distinction  a  professor's  chair.  He  is  the 
author  of  several  scientific  and  mathematical  works 


26  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

held  in  high  estimation.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Virginia  University,  and  also  of  the  Military  Institute 
of  that  state.  Mr.  St.  Ange,1  is  a  native  of  France,  and 
has  served  with  distinction  as  an  officer  in  the  French 
navy.  He  has  taught  in  the  University  of  Louisiana, 
and  for  some  time  also  in  this  Parish.  Being  known  to 
most  members  of  this  Board  as  a  thorough  instructor 
his  election  was  unanimous.  Mr.  Boyd  is  a  graduate  of 
the  University  of  Virginia,  and  like  the  rest  highly  rec 
ommended  for  proficiency  and  talent. 

The  traditional  account  of  Sherman's  election  was  written 
down  nearly  forty  years  later  by  D.  F.  Boyd  from  whose  manu 
script  the  paragraphs  given  below  are  taken. 

[Sherman's]  application  for  position  in  the  Military 
Academy  was  characteristic  of  him.  When  Governor 
WicklifTe  and  the  Board  of  Supervisors  met  on  the  hot, 
sultry  summer  day  in  1859,  to  make  the  faculty  appoint 
ments,  there  were  many  applications ;  and  after  they  had 
waded  through  a  mass  of  testimonials  -  flattering  words 
of  loving,  partial  friends,  genealogies,  etc.  -  such  hand 
some  nothings  as  only  enthusiastic  southerners  can  say 
of  each  other,  and  of  their  ancestors  for  generations 
back,  when  an  office  is  in  sight,  a  half-sheet  letter  was 
opened  and  read  about  to  this  effect: 

GOVERNOR  WICKLIFFE,  president,  Board  of  Supervisors. 

Sir:  Having  been  informed  that  you  wish  a  superintendent 
and  professor  of  engineering  in  the  Military  Academy  of  Louis 
iana,  soon  to  be  opened,  I  beg  leave  to  offer  mj^self  for  the  posi 
tion. 

I  send  no  testimonials.  .  .  I  will  only  say  that  I  am  a 
graduate  of  West  Point  and  ex-army  officer ;  and  if  you  care  to 
know  further  about  me,  I  refer  you  to  the  officers  of  the  army 
from  General  Scott  down,  and  in  your  own  state  to  Col.  Braxton 
Bragg,  Major  G.  T.  Beauregard,  and  Richard  Taylor,  Esq. 
Yours  respectfully,  W.  T.  SHERMAN. 

1  A  graduate  of  Charlemagne  College,  Paris.  —  ED. 


THE  FIRST  FACULTY 

(i)    William   Tecumseh    Sherman;    (2)    Powhatan    Clarke; 

(3)    Anthony  Vallas;     (4)    D.   F.    Boyd ;     (5)    Francis  W.    Smith 

Dr.  Clarke's  portrait  is  of  1910;  the  others    are    of    1860.     No    portrait    of    Professor 

St.   Ange   can    be   found 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  29 

No  sooner  was  this  letter  read,  than  Sam.  Henarie,  a 
plain  business  man  and  member  of  the  Board,  ex 
claimed:  "By  G — d,  he's  my  man.  He's  a  man  of 
sense.  I'm  ready  for  the  vote!"  "But,"  said  Governor 
WicklifTe,  "we  have  a  number  more  of  applications. 
We  must  read  them  all."  "Well,  you  can  read  them," 
rejoined  Henarie,  "but  let  me  out  of  here,  while  you  are 
reading.  When  you  get  through,  call  me,  and  I'll  come 
back  and  vote  for  Sherman."  Sam  heard  no  more  "tes 
timonials."  Sherman  was  elected.  .  . 

To  the  successful  applicants  for  positions  the  governor  sent 
formal  notices  of  appointment  while  General  Graham  entered 
into  a  lengthy  correspondence  with  the  newly  elected  superin 
tendent  in  regard  to  the  work  that  was  still  to  be  done  before 
opening.  Typical  letters  are  here  selected. 

GOVERNOR  ROBERT  C.  WICKLIFFE  TO  W.  T. 
SHERMAN 

EXECUTIVE  OFFICE,  BATON  ROUGE,  LA.,  Aug.  5, 1859. 

SlR:  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Seminary  of 
Learning,  held  at  Alexandria  on  the  ist  of  August,  you 
were  elected  to  fill  the  chair  of  professor  of  engineering, 
architecture,  drawing,  etc.,  and  as  superintendent  of  the 
institution. 

You  will  please  inform  me  at  what  time,  between  this 
and  the  first  of  December,  it  will  be  convenient  for  you 
to  meet  a  committee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  to 
make  necessary  arrangements  for  the  organization  of 
the  institution. 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

STEAMBOAT  MINNESOTA,  descending  Red  River,  La., 

Augusts,  T8S9- 

SIR:  I  have  the  gratification  to  inform  you,  in  ad 
vance  probably  of  your  official  notification  by  Gov. 


30  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Wickliffe,  that  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Semi 
nary  of  Learning,  State  of  Louisiana,  yesterday  elected 
you  to  the  chair  of  engineering,  architecture,  and  draw 
ing  in  that  institution,  and  to  the  post  of  superintendent 
thereof.  .  . 

I  am  now  en  route  to  join  my  family  at  Beer-Sheba 
Springs,  Tennessee,  where  I  shall  remain  until  the  last 
days  of  August  and  thence  to  Washington  City  all  the 
month  of  September.  My  address  there  will  be  to 
"care  Richard  Smith,  Esq.,  cashier,  Bank  of  the  Me 
tropolis."  Hope  to  be  at  home  by  first  of  November, 
where  from  the  ist  to  the  loth,  shall  be  glad  if  you  can 
join  me,  making  the  headquarters  of  your  family  at  my 
house,  where  we  have  abundant  room,  but  are  nine  miles 
distant  from  Alexandria,  thirteen  from  the  Seminary. 

If  entirely  convenient  and  comfortable  to  your  family, 
however,  to  remain  behind,  it  would  be  wisest  for  you 
to  come  down  alone  at  first,  as  there  are  no  residences 
yet  provided,  and  you  will  all  have  to  quarter  at  first  in 
the  building.  Yourself  and  .Dr.  Vallas  are  the  only  two 
married  men  on  the  Academic  Board,  and  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  has  taken  the  initiatory  for  the  creation  of 
two  dwellings,  but  it  requires  the  authorization  of  the 
legislature,  which  assembles  on  the  3rd  Monday  in 
January. 

It  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  be  here  as  soon  as  pos 
sible  after  my  own  return,  as  the  preparation  for,  and 
the  starting  of,  the  whole  machinery  has  been  devolved 
mostly  on  you  and  myself,  including  the  furnishments 
of  the  building,  as  you  will  see  from  the  published  ac 
counts  of  our  proceedings  which  will  be  forwarded  to 
you  (apropos :  the  statement  in  the  governor's  advertise 
ment  that  "furnished  apartments  will  be  provided  the 
professors  in  the  building"  was  an  error  of  our  secre- 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH 


tary's.  It  should  have  read  "Apartments  will  be  fur 
nished  the  professors  in  the  building  free  of  charge 
therefor  "  le  meublant  of  them  however  to  be  left  to 
themselves). 

I  enclose  to  your  address  at  Leavenworth,  to  be 
mailed  with  this  in  New  Orleans,  a  packet  containing 
four  publications  from  the  Virginia  Military  Institute, 
one  of  them  a  copy  of  its  "Rules  and  Regulations,"  so 
that  in  devoting  in  advance,  what  leisure  moments  you 
may  have  to  the  preparation  of  your  plans,  you  may 
have  the  experience  of  our  model  before  you. 

If  an  article  in  the  Daily  National  Intelligencer  of 
Monday,  July  4th,  headed  "Louisiana  Seminary"  met 
your  eye,  you  will  have  gathered  from  it  a  pretty  exact 
idea  of  its  locale.  A  little  ground  plan  which  I  have 
endeavored  to  make  amidst  the  tremulous  motion  of  the 
boat,  and  enclose  here,  will  enable  you  to  form  some 
idea  of  the  capacity  of  the  Building. 


H 

i£i       StfJ         p£S        Ji±* 

r=,       — Jl      .  B  P  ll-»       €= 


27*.  68 


FLA/NT  «-riR5T 


32  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Doctor  Vallas  is  an  Episcopal  clergyman  (which 
quality  he  sinks  entirely,  that  is,  in  the  exercise  of  it,  so 
far  as  the  institution  is  concerned),  an  Hungarian,  an 
accomplished  gentleman,  an  erudite  scholar,  a  profound 
and  practised  mathematician  and  doctor  of  philosophy. 
Has  occupied  various  chairs  in  the  colleges  of  Vienna 
and  at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  the  Revolution 
ary  Government  in  Hungary,  was  professor  of  mathe 
matics  in  the  University  at  Pesth,  in  which  capacity  he 
was  ordered  by  that  Government  to  organize  a  military 
department  to  the  University  in  which  he  superintended 
the  instruction  of  about  five  hundred  young  men  for  two 
years,  when  the  Austrians  recovering  possession  of 
Pesth  he  was  dismissed  from  the  Military  school  and 
was  himself  court-martialed.  Saving  his  head,  they  only 
removed  his  body  from  the  office  of  professor  of  the 
university,  and  altho'  there  is  satisfactory  evidence  that 
he  might  have  been  restored  to  that  position,  he  pre 
ferred  a  voluntary  expatriation.  He  resides  in  New 
Orleans,  readily  at  hand. 

Monsieur  St.  Ange  seems  to  be  a  gentleman  and  well 
educated  scholar  -  has  served  in  the  Marine  Corps  of 
France.  Is  in  Alexandria. 

David  F.  Boyd,  an  eleve  of  the  University  of  Vir 
ginia  and  native  of  that  state,  is  now  teacher  in  a  school 
in  the  northerly  part  of  Louisiana.  He,  too,  is  there 
fore  readily  at  hand. 

Francis  W.  Smith,  native  of  Virginia  and  eleve  of  its 
military  institute,  is  a  very  young  man,  a  nephew  of  both 
Col.  Smith,  the  superintendent,  and  of  Major  William 
son,  one  of  the  professors  in  the  V.M.I.  He  comes 
strenuously  recommended  as  eminently  qualified  to  fill 
any  chair  in  our  school,  except  that  of  modern  lan 
guages,  being  only  a  French  scholar.  Is  now  at  Lexing 
ton,  Virginia  or  Norfolk,  where  his  family  reside. 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  33 

In  concluding  this  long,  and  to  me  wearying  paper,  I 
beg  to  say  to  you  that  much  is  expected  of  you  -  that  a 
great  deal  will  devolve  upon  you,  and  to  add  that  at  our 
Board  dinner  yesterday,  Governor  Wickliffe  with  great 
cordiality  and  kind  feeling  proposed  your  health  and 
success,  and  that  it  was  responded  to  by  the  other  mem 
bers  in  brimming  glasses. 

P.S.  If  you  know  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  I.  Isaacs,  now  I 
think  residing  in  Leavenworth,  they  can  tell  you  all 
about  our  country  here. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LANCASTER,  O.,  Aug.  20, 1859. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  wrote  you  a  few  days  ago,  in  part  an 
swer  to  your  very  kind  note  addressed  me  at  Lancaster. 
I  am  now  in  possession  of  your  more  full  letter  sent 
by  way  of  Leavenworth,  and  shall  receive  to-day  the 
printed  reports  to  which  you  referred. 

These  will  in  great  measure  answer  the  manifold 
questions  propounded  by  me.  When  in  full  possession 
of  these  I  will  again  write  you,  and  when  I  know  you  are 
at  Washington,  I  may  come  there  to  meet  you,  and  to 
make  those  preliminary  arrangements  as  to  furnishing 
the  building,  selecting  text  books,  etc.,  all  of  which  will 
no  doubt  have  to  be  approved  by  the  Board  of  Educa 
tion  in  Louisiana. 

I  can  easily  secure  from  West  Point  the  most  complete 
information  on  all  the  details  of  the  management  and 
economy  of  that  institution.  Then,  being  in  possession 
of  similar  data  from  the  Virginia  Institution,  we  can 
easily  lay  a  simple  foundation,  on  which  to  erect,  as 
time  progresses,  a  practical  system  of  physical  and  men 
tal  education,  adapted  to  the  circumstances  of  Louis 
iana.  I  shall  not  take  my  family  south  this  winter,  and 
shall  hold  myself  prepared  to  meet  you  at  Alexandria, 


34  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

or  elsewhere,  at  the  earliest  date  you  think  best.  I  feel 
deeply  moved  by  your  friendly  interest  in  me,  and  both 
socially  and  in  the  new  field  hereby  opened  to  me  I  will 
endeavor  to  reciprocate  your  personal  interest  and  justi 
fy  your  choice  of  a  superintendent. 

I  have  seen  a  good  deal  of  the  practical  world,  and 
have  acquired  considerable  knowledge,  but  it  may  be 
desultory,  and  may  require  some  time  to  reduce  it  to 
system,  and  therefore  I  feel  inclined  to  see  the  Board 
of  Education  5  select  a  good  series  of  practical  books  as 
textbooks. 

If  this  has  already  been  done,  I  will  be  the  better 
pleased;  if  this  devolve  on  the  professors  it  will  require 
some  judgment  to  adjust  them,  lest  each  professor 
should  attempt  too  much,  and  give  preference  to  text 
books  not  intimately  connected  with  the  other  classes. 
The  adjustment  of  the  course  of  studies,  the  selection  of 
the  kind  and  distribution  of  physical,  muscular  educa 
tion,  and  how  far  instruction  in  infantry,  sword  and  even 
artillery  practice  shall  be  introduced  are  all  important 
points,  but  fortunately  we  have  a  wide  field  of  choice, 
and  the  benefit  of  the  experience  of  others.  As  soon  as  I 
learn  you  are  in  Washington,  and  as  soon  as  I  know  all 
that  has  been  done,  I  will  give  my  thoughts  and  action 
to  provide  in  advance  the  knowledge  out  of  which  the 
Board  of  Education  may  choose  the  remainder. 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

WILLARD'S  HOTEL,  WASHINGTON,  Sept.  7,  1859. 
DEAR  SIR:  On  arriving  here  night  before  last  I  had 
the  pleasure  to  receive  from  Mr.  Richard  Smith  your 
two  favors  of  the  i^th  and  2Oth  of  August,  and  Major 
Buell,  with  whom  I  have  not  been  able  to  meet  until  this 
morning  at  breakfast,  has  shown  me  yours  to  him  of  the 

5  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Seminary.  —  ED. 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  35 

4th  inst.  which  he  was  in  the  act  of  opening  when  I 
joined  him,  and  from  which  he  has  allowed  me  to  take  a 
memorandum  of  the  dates  of  your  proposed  movements. 
The  information  contained  in  your  letter  to  Buell  has 
been  of  considerable  relief  to  me,  for  whilst  it  would  be 
very  gratifying  to  me  to  meet  with  you  I  did  not  see  any 
good  commensurate  with  the  expense,  time,  risk,  and 
trouble  to  yourself,  to  result  from  your  coming  all  the 
way  here  merely  to  confer  with  me  when  it  was  not  in 
my  power  to  specify  any  particular  day  when  I  would 
be  in  the  city,  as  the  business  which  brings  me  here  lies 
down  in  Virginia,  whither  I  go  tomorrow  morning,  if 
the  violent  cold  under  which  I  am  now  suffering  shall 
permit,  and  the  consummation  of  it  is  contingent  on  the 
action  of  a  half  dozen  others  than  myself. 

I  had  desired  very  much,  if  it  suited  your  conven 
ience,  that  you  could  visit  and  see  into  the  interior  life 
of  the  school  at  Lexington,  Virginia,  where  everything 
would  be  shown  to  you  with  the  most  cordial  frankness 
by  Col.  Smith,  who  has  taken  the  warmest  and  most 
earnest  interest  in  our  effort,  and  who  writes  to  me  of 
you,  sir,  in  very  high  terms  of  congratulatory  apprecia 
tion,  and  where  one  of  your  classmates,  Major  Gilham, 
is  a  member  of  the  Academic  Board. 

In  the  event  that  this  will  not  be  practicable  to  you,  as 
I  infer  from  the  programme  laid  down  in  your  note  to 
Major  Buell  it  will  not  be,  I  shall  write  to  Col.  Smith 
asking  him  to  give  us  all  necessary  information  of  de 
tails  not  contained  in  the  "Rules  and  Regulations"  the 
preparation  of  the  code  of  which  for  our  school  is  con 
fined  to  the  joint  action  of  "the  faculty"  and  "A  Com 
mittee  consisting  of  Messrs.  Manning,  Graham,  and 
Whittington."  I  would  rather  have  had  the  Board 
adopt  for  the  present  the  code  of  the  Virginia  school, 
because  under  the  Governor's  resolution,  about  which 


36  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

he  did  not  confer  with  me  beforehand,  it  cannot  well  be 
done  until  on  or  about  the  ist  of  January,  when  it  ought 
to  be  done  in  advance.  I  do  not  see  therefore  that  we 
can  do  otherwise  than  adopt,  at  first,  the  code  of  that 
school.  I  have  no  apprehension  but  that  whatever  you, 
Mr.  Manning  and  myself  may  agree  upon,  will  be  ac 
ceptable  to  all  the  rest. 

In  regard  to  "furnishing"  the  building  there  will  not 
be  much  trouble.  My  idea  will  be  for  each  cadet  to 
furnish  his  own  requisites  in  the  way  of  room  furni 
ture,  as  at  West  Point.  There  will  then  be  nothing  to 
furnish  but  the  class-rooms,  the  kitchen  and  mess  hall  - 
as  I  believe  I  mentioned  to  you  before,  the  statement  in 
the  Governor's  advertisement  that  "furnished  apart 
ments  would  be  provided  in  the  building  for  the  pro 
fessors,"  was  an  error  of  our  not  very  clear-headed 
secretary.  The  intention  of  the  Board  was  simply  to 
apprize  all  interested  that  there  were  no  separate  dwell 
ings  for  the  professors.  .  . 

I  met  with  Mr.  F.  W.  Smith  6  in  Richmond  and 
travelled  with  him  to  this  place.  He  is  about  sailing 
for  Europe  to  be  back  the  ist  of  December.  All  my 
anticipations  of  him  fully  realized.  I  cannot  close 
without  mentioning  that  in  a  visit  to  the  convent  in 
Georgetown  yesterday  my  sister  (Mary  Bernard) 
poured  out  her  joy  on  learning  (to  do  which  she  en 
quired  with  great  eagerness)  that  the  superintendent  of 
our  school  was  the  husband  of  that  "one  of  all  the  girls 
who  have  passed  through  our  hands  here  that  I  believed 
I  loved  best  and  was  the  most  deeply  interested  in."  7 

In  regard  to  "authority  and  control,"  although  it  is 

6  The  newly  elected  commandant  of  cadets  and  professor  of  chemistry.  —  ED. 

7  Mrs.   Sherman  was  educated   in   a   Georgetown,   D.C.,   convent  in  which 
General  Graham's  sister  was  a  teacher  and  later  Mother  Superior.  —  ED. 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  37 

not  yet  exactly  so,  I  hope  the  next  session  of  the  legis 
lature  will  place  our  school  on  precisely  the  same  foot 
ing  as  the  Virginia  school,  making  the  superintendent 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  corps  of  cadets,  giving 
to  him  and  the  other  members  of  the  Academic  Board, 
rank  in  the  State's  military  organization. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  SEPT.  7,  1859. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  now  in  full  possession  of  all  docu 
ments  sent  to  my  address  at  Leavenworth  including  the 
papers  containing  the  printed  proceedings  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  of  August  2.  I  have  written  to  you 
twice  at  Washington,  but  suppose  you  are  not  well  ar 
rived,  and  as  I  find  it  best  somewhat  to  qualify  my  offer 
to  come  East,  and  visit  with  you  the  Virginia  Institute, 
I  write  you  again. 

I  have  written  Governor  Wickliffe  that  I  will  be  at 
Saint  Louis,  Oct.  20  and  at  Baton  Rouge  Nov.  5,  pre 
pared  to  meet  the  committee  of  supervisors,  or  the 
academic  faculty  at  any  time  thereafter  he  may  appoint. 
But  it  may  be  more  convenient  for  that  committee  to 
meet  at  once  in  Alexandria  or  at  the  institute  [Semi 
nary]  itself,  so  that  I  can  be  there  at  any  date  after  Nov. 
5,  which  may  prove  agreeable  to  all  parties. 

To-morrow  I  will  go  to  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  to  be 
present  at  the  opening  of  the  session  of  the  Kentucky 
Military  Institute  and  I  will  remain  long  enough  to 
see  for  myself  as  much  of  the  practical  workings  of  that 
institute  as  possible.  Colonel  Morgan  in  charge  will, 
I  know,  take  pleasure  in  making  me  acquainted  with 
all  details  that  I  may  desire  to  learn. 

From  Kentucky  I  shall  return  to  this  place,  and 
about  the  25th  inst.  I  will  go  to  Chicago,  where  I  expect 
to  meet  Captain  McClellan  of  the  Illinois  Central 


38  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Railroad,  who  a  few  years  since  visited  many  of  the 
European  establishments,  and  who  can  therefore  give 
me  much  information.  I  will  then  go  to  Leavenport 
and  afterward  St.  Louis  delaying  at  each  point  a  short 
while,  but  you  may  rest  perfectly  certain  that  I  will  be 
on  hand,  when  the  committee  meets  and  that  I  will  ac 
quire  as  much  practical  knowledge  of  organization  as 
possible  in  the  meantime. 

I  hope  you  will  find  it  both  pleasant  and  convenient 
to  visit  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  and  that  you  will 
make  inquiries  that  will  be  of  service -thus  ascertain 
the  exact  price  of  each  article  of  dress,  and  furniture 
furnished  the  cadets,  price  of  each  text-book  -  how  sup 
plied,  cost  of  black-board,  drawing-board,  mathemati 
cal  instruments,  drawing-paper,  paints,  pencils,  etc. 
The  name  of  the  merchant  who  supplied  them.  Have 
they  a  single  store,  like  an  army  suttler  who  keeps  sup 
plies  on  hand,  and  whose  prices  are  fixed  by  the  Aca 
demic  Board,  or  does  their  quartermaster  provide  by 
wholesale  and  distribute  to  cadets  charging  them?  Are 
all  cadets  marched  to  mess  hall?  Do  they  have  regular 
reveille,  tattoo  and  taps? 

Can  we  not  select  a  dress  more  becoming,  quite  as 
economical,  and  better  adapted  to  climate  than  the  grey 
cloth  of  West  Point  and  Virginia? 

It  occurs  to  me  that  climate  will  make  it  almost  nec 
essary  to  make  modifications  of  dress,  period  of  study, 
drill,  and  even  dates  of  examinations.  This  may  all 
be  done  without  in  the  least  impairing  that  systematic 
discipline  which  I  suppose  it  is  the  purpose  to  engraft 
on  the  usual  course  of  scientific  education. 

Ascertain  if  possible,  the  average  annual  expense  of 
each  cadet  -  clothing,  mess  hall,  books,  paper,  etc.,  lights 
fire,  and  washing  and  tuition. 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  39 

I  will  try  and  ascertain  similar  elements  in  Kentucky 
and  elsewhere,  so  that  we  may  begin  with  full  knowl 
edge  of  the  experience  of  all  others.  Should  you  write 
me  here  the  letters  will  be  so  forwarded  as  to  meet  me 
with  as  little  delay  as  possible. 

Sherman's  views  on  slavery,  politics,  etc.,  were  moderate. 
Had  he  taken  an  active  part  in  public  affairs  he  would  probably 
have  been  an  Old  Line  Whig.  His  brother  John  was  already 
noted  as  an  anti-slavery  Republican.  Just  before  leaving  for 
Louisiana  Major  Sherman  wrote  to  his  brother  urging  him  to 
take  a  moderate  position  on  sectional  questions. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  Sept.,  1859. 
I  will  come  up  about  the  2Oth  or  25th,  and  if  you 
have  an  appointment  to  speak  about  that  time,  I  should 
like  to  hear  you,  and  will  so  arrange.  As  you  are  be 
coming  a  man  of  note  and  are  a  Republican,  and  as  I 
go  south  among  gentlemen  who  have  always  owned 
slaves,  and  probably  always  will  and  must,  and  whose 
feelings  may  pervert  every  public  expression  of  yours, 
putting  me  in  a  false  position  to  them  as  my  patrons, 
friends,  and  associates,  and  you  as  my  brother,  I  would 
like  to  see  you  take  the  highest  ground  consistent  with 

your  party  creed.     .     . 

October,  1859. 

Each  State  has  a  perfect  right  to  have  its  own  local 
policy,  and  a  majority  in  Congress  has  an  absolute  right 
to  govern  the  whole  country;  but  the  North,  being  so 
strong  in  every  sense  of  the  term,  can  well  afford  to  be 
generous,  even  to  making  reasonable  concessions  to  the 
weakness  and  prejudices  of  the  South.  If  southern  rep 
resentatives  will  thrust  slavery  into  every  local  ques 
tion,  they  must  expect  the  consequences  and  be  out 
voted;  but  the  union  of  states  and  general  union  of  sen- 


40  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

timent  throughout  all  our  nation  are  so  important  to 
the  honor  and  glory  of  the  confederacy  that  I  would 
like  to  see  your  position  yet  more  moderate. 

During  the  summer  while  at  Lancaster,  Sherman  wrote  to 
several  officers  of  the  army  with  whom  he  had  been  associated, 
asking  for  their  views  on  certain  problems  of  military  school 
organization.  The  following  letter  from  Captain  George  B. 
McClellan  is  the  only  one  that  has  been  preserved.  It  wras  taken 
from  the  Seminary  in  1864  by  an  officer  of  Gen.  Banks's  army 
and  was  returned  to  Louisiana  State  University  in  1909.  It 
bears  the  following  endorsement  by  Sherman:  "Capt.  McC. 
went  to  Sebastopol  and  reported  to  our  government.  He  spent 
more  than  a  year  in  Austrian,  Russian,  and  English  camps  and  is 
a  gentleman  of  singular  intelligence." 

GEORGE  B.  McCLELLAN  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

ILLINOIS  CENTRAL  RAILROAD  COMPANY,  Vice  Presi 
dent's  Office,  Chicago,  Oct.  23,  1859. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  have  so 
long  delayed  replying  to  yours  of  the  3Oth,  ult.  I  hope 
this  will  reach  you  at  Baton  Rouge  in  time  to  serve  your 
purposes,  and  must  beg  you  to  consider  my  rather  multi 
farious  duties  as  my  excuse  for  the  delay;  in  truth  I  was 
desirous  of  taking  some  little  pains  with  my  reply,  and 
it  has  been  difficult  for  me  to  find  the  time. 

I  think  with  you  that  the  blue  frock  coat,  and  felt  hat 
with  a  feather,  with  perhaps  the  Austrian  undress  cap, 
will  be  the  most  appropriate  uniform,  the  grey  coatee 
is  rather  behind  the  age. 

If  the  academy  is  in  the  Pine  Barrens,  it  would  seem 
that  the  period  from  September  i  to  June  20,  with  the 
two  examinations  you  speak  of,  would  answer  every 
purpose.  It  would  be  almost  impossible  to  have  an 
encampment,  I  should  suppose,  yet  you  might  in  a  very 
few  days  teach  them  how  to  pitch  tents,  and  the  more 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  41 

important  parts  of  camp  duty,  such  as  guard  duty,  con 
struction  of  field  kitchens  and  ovens,  huts  for  pioneers, 
etc. 

You  will  find  in  Captain  Marcy's  new  book  The 
Prairie  Traveller  a  great  deal  of  invaluable  information 
in  reference  to  camps,  taking  care  of  animals,  etc.,  on 
the  prairies.  I  think  you  would  find  it  worth  while,  if 
not  to  make  it  a  text  book,  to  require  or  advise  to  students 
to  procure  copies.  It  is  a  book  they  will  read  with 
great  interest  and  profit -it  fills  a  vacuum  of  no  little 
importance. 

I  think  I  have  at  home  the  plates  belonging  to  the 
French  "Instruction  pour  1'enseignement  de  la  Gymnas- 
tique."  This  will  give  you  all  the  information  you  need 
as  to  the  appliances  required  for  a  gymnasium.  The 
title  is  Instruction  pour  I 'enseignement  de  la  Gymnas- 
tique  dans  les  corps  de  troupes  et  les  etablissements  mil- 
itaire  (Paris,  I.  Dumaine). 

If  my  copy  is  lost  I  would  advise  you  to  import  it. 
There  is  also  a  very  good  little  work  published  by  Du 
maine,  called  Extrait  de  ['Instruction  pour  lf enseigne 
ment  de  la  Gymnastique,  etc.,  par  le  Capitaine  C. 
d'Argy. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  instruction  in  the  infantry 
and  artillery  manuals,  I  would  by  all  means  have  daily 
practice  in  the  gymnasium,  or  fencing  with  the  foil  and 
bayonet,  and  the  same  exercise  at  least  half  an  hour  a 
day  ought  to  be  devoted  to  this. 

With  regard  to  the  course  of  instruction  necessary  to 
lay  the  foundation  for  a  thorough  knowledge  of  engi 
neering,  I  do  not  think  that  the  general  course  at  West 
Point  can  be  materially  improved  upon.  We  have  all 
felt  the  want  of  practical  instruction  on  certain  points 
when  we  left  West  Point -e.g.  in  the  actual  use  of  in 
struments,  both  surveying  and  astronomical,  topography 


42  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

and  field  sketches,  railway  engineering,  etc.  -  but  it  is 
impossible  to  do  everything  in  a  limited  time,  and  I 
would  suggest  that  you  follow  in  the  main  the  West 
Point  course,  retrenching  a  little  from  some  of  the  high 
er  branches  and  adding  a  little  to  the  practical  instruc 
tion. 

I  know  of  no  complete  work  on  the  construction  of 
railways,  it  is  thus  far  essentially  a  practical  business. 
Collum  and  Holley's  work  on  European  Railways  con 
tains  some  valuable  information.  Lardner  on  the  Steam 
Engine,  Parbour  on  the  Locomotive  and  Steam  Engine, 
Collum  on  the  Locomotive  are  all  useful.  Borden's 
Formula  for  the  Location  and  Construction  of  Rail 
roads,  Haupt  on  Bridge  construction,  Moseley's  Me 
chanical  Engineering,  Edwin  Clarke  on  the  Brittania 
and  Conivay  Tubular  Bridges,  Arolis  series  of  Rudi 
mentary  treatise  on  Engineering,  etc.,  are  all  of  value. 

I  regret  that  I  am  rather  pushed  for  time  tonight,  as 
I  would  have  liked  to  write  more  fully,  but  I  start  for 
St.  Paul  in  the  morning  and  must  do  the  best  I  can  in  a 
limited  time.  If  I  can  give  you  any  further  informa 
tion  it  will  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  do  so  at  any  time. 
With  my  best  wishes  for  your  success  in  Louisiana,  I  am 
very  truly  yours,  GEO.  B.  McCLELLAN. 

In  October,  1859,  Sherman  started  for  Louisiana  but  stopped 
at  St.  Louis  to  attend  to  business  affairs  and  to  visit  friends. 
From  here  he  wrote  to  General  Graham  and  from  Cairo  and 
Baton  Rouge  he  wrote  to  Mrs.  Sherman  who,  it  was  decided, 
could  not  go  to  Louisiana  until  the  superintendent's  house  should 
be  built. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

ST.  LOUIS,  Mo.,  Sunday,  Oct.  23,  1859. 

DEAR  SIR:     ...     It  is  absolutely  impossible  for 

me  to  leave  here  before  Thursday  of  this  week,  the  27th, 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH  43 

as  I  have  some  old  matters  of  business  here  which  I  have 
put  oft  until  now.  I  was  delayed  two  or  three  days  by 
the  low  water  of  the  Missouri.  Therefore,  however 
much  I  would  like  to  be  with  you  on  the  "Lizzie  Sim 
mons,"  I  must  not  attempt  it. 

I  will,  if  there  be  any  faith  in  steamboats,  be  at  Baton 
Rouge,  Nov.  5  and  I  suppose  I  have  made  a  mistake  in 
promising  to  see  the  governor  at  all,  instead  of  the  com 
mittee  of  trustees,  to  whom  is  left  the  preparation  of 
things ;  still,  as  I  have  written  the  governor  to  that  effect, 
I  must  do  so,  but  will  not  delay  an  unnecessary  moment, 
but  hurry  on  to  Alexandria  and  there  meet  the  com 
mittee. 

Knowing,  as  you  do,  the  rates  of  travel,  you  can  better 
form  a  judgment  when  I  can  reach  your  Alexandria; 
and  if  your  committee  will  have  progressed  in  their  work 
they  may  go  on,  with  a  certainty  that  I  will  zealously 
enter  on  any  task  they  may  assign  me.  It  seems  to  me 
no  time  is  to  be  lost  in  preparing  regulations  and  cir 
culars  for  very  wide  circulation  among  the  planters 
whose  sons  are  to  be  cadets. 

But  we  will  soon  meet  and  go  to  work,  and  I  begin 
to  feel  now  that  we  have  a  noble  task  and  are  bound  to 
succeed. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

STEAMER  L.  M.  KENNETT  [at  Cairo],  Saturday,  Oct. 
29,  1859. 

.  .  .  Should  my  health  utterly  fail  me  or  abolition 
drive  me  and  all  moderate  men  from  the  South,  then  we 
can  retreat  down  the  Hocking  and  exist  until  time  puts 
us  away  under  ground.  This  is  not  poetically  expressed 
but  is  the  basis  of  my  present  plans. 

I  find  southern  men,  even  as  well  informed  as  - 
as  big  fools  as  the  abolitionists.    Though  Brown's  whole 


44  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

expedition  proves  clearly  that  [while]  the  northern  peo 
ple  oppose  slavery  in  the  abstract,  yet  very  few  [will] 
go  so  far  as  to  act.  Yet  the  extreme  southrons  pretend 
to  think  that  the  northern  people  have  nothing  to  do 
but  to  steal  niggers  and  to  preach  sedition. 

John's 8  position  and  Tom's  9  may  force  me  at  times 
to  appear  opposed  to  extreme  southern  views,  or  they 
may  attempt  to  extract  from  me  promises  I  will  not 
give,  and  it  may  be  that  this  position  as  the  head  of  a 
military  college,  south  may  be  inconsistent  with  decent 
independence.  I  don't  much  apprehend  such  a  state  of 
case,  still  feeling  runs  so  high,  where  a  nigger  is  con 
cerned,  that  like  religious  questions,  common  sense  is 
disregarded,  and  knowledge  of  the  character  of  man 
kind  in  such  cases  leads  me  to  point  out  a  combination 
of  events  that  may  yet  operate  on  our  future. 

I  have  heard  men  of  good  sense  say  that  the  union 
of  the  states  any  longer  was  impossible,  and  that  the 
South  was  preparing  for  a  change.  If  such  a  change 
be  contemplated  and  overt  acts  be  attempted  of  course 
I  will  not  go  with  the  South,  because  with  slavery  and 
the  whole  civilized  world  opposed  to  it,  they  in  case 
of  leaving  the  union  will  have  worse  wars  and  tumults 
than  now  distinguish  Mexico.  If  I  have  to  fight  here 
after  I  prefer  an  open  country  and  white  enemies.  I 
merely  allude  to  these  things  now  because  I  have  heard 
a  good  deal  lately  about  such  things,  and  generally  that 
the  Southern  States  by  military  colleges  and  organiza 
tions  were  looking  to  a  dissolution  of  the  Union.  If 
they  design  to  protect  themselves  against  negroes  and 
abolitionists  I  will  help;  if  they  propose  to  leave  the 
Union  on  account  of  a  supposed  fact  that  the  northern 

8  John  Sherman.  —  ED. 

9  Thomas  Evving    Jr.,  brother  of  Mrs.  Sherman.  —  ED. 


SHERMAN  COMES  SOUTH 45 

people  are  all  abolitionists  like  Giddings  and  Brown 
then  I  will  stand  by  Ohio  and  the  northwest. 

I  am  on  a  common  kind  of  boat.     River  low.     Fare 
eighteen  dollars.     A  hard  set  aboard;  but  at  Cairo  I 
suppose  we  take  aboard  the  railroad  passengers,  a  better 
class.     I  have  all  my  traps  safe  aboard,  will  land  my 
bed  and  boxes  at  Red  River,  will  go  on  to  Baton  Rouge, 
and  then  be  governed  by  circumstances. 

The  weather  is  clear  and  cold  and  I  have  a  bad  cough, 
asthma  of  course,  but  hope  to  be  better  tomorrow.  I 
have  a  stateroom  to  myself,  but  at  Cairo  suppose  we  will 
have  a  crowd ;  if  possible  I  will  keep  a  room  to  myself 
in  case  I  want  to  burn  the  paper  10  of  which  I  will  have 
some  left,  but  in  case  of  a  second  person  being  put  in  I 
can  sleep  by  day  and  sit  up  at  night,  all  pretty  much  the 
same  in  the  long  run.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  Sunday,  November  6,  1859. 

I  wrote  you  from  the  Kennett  at  Cairo  -  but  not  from 
Memphis.  I  got  here  last  night  about  dark,  the  very 
day  I  had  appointed,  but  so  late  in  the  day  that  when  I 
called  at  the  governor's  residence  I  found  he  had  gone 
to  a  wedding.  I  have  not  yet  seen  him,  and  as  tomor 
row  is  the  great  election  day  of  this  state  I  hear  that  he 
is  going  down  to  New  Orleans  to-day.  So  I  got  up 
early,  and  as  soon  as  I  finish  this  letter,  I  will  go  again. 

I  have  been  to  the  post-office  and  learn  that  several 
letters  have  come  for  me,  all  of  which  were  sent  to  the 
governor.  Captain  Ricketts  of  the  army,  commanding 
officer  at  the  barracks,11  found  me  last  night,  and  has 
told  me  all  the  news,  says  that  they  were  much  pleased 

10  Nitre  paper  burned  to  relieve  asthma.  -  ED. 

II  The  United  States  military  post  at  Baton  Rouge.  -  ED. 


46  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

at  my  accepting  the  place,  and  that  all  place  great  re 
liance  on  me,  that  the  place  at  Alexandria  selected  for 
the  school  is  famous  for  salubrity,  never  has  been  visited 
by  yellow  fever  and  therefore  is  better  adapted  for  the 
purpose  than  this  place.  He  thinks  that  I  will  have  one 
of  the  best  places  in  the  country,  and  that  I  will  be 
treated  with  great  consideration  by  the  legislature  and 
authorities  of  the  state.  I  will  have  plenty  to  do  be 
tween  this  and  the  time  for  opening  of  school.  I  have 
yet  seen  nobody  connected  with  the  school  and  suppose 
all  are  waiting  for  me  at  Alexandria,  where  I  will  go 
tomorrow. 


II.  PREPARING  FOR  THE  OPENING  OF  THE 
SEMINARY 

First  impressions  of  the  Red  River  Valley.  General  Graham.  The  Sem 
inary  Building.  Preparations  to  be  made.  Finances  of  the  school  Servants 
and  laborers.  Welcome  from  Braxton  Bragg.  Sherman's  account  of  his  first 
weeks-  in  Louisiana.  He  goes  to  the  Seminary  to  live.  Making  rules  for  the 
Seminary.  The  work  at  the  Seminary.  The  Seminary  location.  Sherman  at 
work  on  the  regulations.  The  difficulty  of  procuring  text-books.  Governor 
Moore  on  educational  conditions  in  Louisiana.  Meeting  of  the  supervisors. 
Opposition  to  the  military  system.  Professors  notified  to  come  to  the  Seminary. 
Two  factions  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Purchase  of  supplies  in  New  Or 
leans.  Danger  that  John  Sherman's  political  course  may  embarrass  W.  T. 
Sherman  in  Louisiana.  Helper's  Impending  Crisis.  Sherman's  views  on  slav 
ery  "are  good  enough  for  this  country."  Appointment  of  cadets.  Braxton 
Bragg  on  Seminary  affairs.  Ready  for  the  opening  of  the  Seminary.  Lack 
of  dwelling  houses  near  the  Seminary.  Slavery  and  politics.  Final  prepara 
tions  for  opening.  Sherman  and  the  negro  servants. 

After  a  short  stay  in  Baton  Rouge  for  the  purpose  of  consult 
ing  Governor  Wickliffe,  Sherman  went  to  Alexandria.  The 
newspapers  that  mentioned  his  coming  were  crowded  with  news 
of  the  John  Brown  raid  and  the  trial  of  Brown  and  his  fol 
lowers.  If  Sherman  had  a  sense  of  humor  he  probably  sent 
copies  of  the  Louisiana  Democrat  to  his  brother  John.  To  Mrs. 
Sherman  he  wrote  on  November  12  giving  his  first  impressions 
of  Louisiana. 

ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,  Sunday,  Nov.  12  [1859]. 
I  wrote  you  a  hasty  letter  yesterday  whilst  the  stage 
was  waiting.  General  Graham  and  others  have  been 
with  me  every  moment  so  that  I  was  unable  to  steal  a 
moment's  time  to  write  you.  I  left  the  wharf  boat  at 
the  mouth  of  Red  River,  a  dirty,  poor  concern  where  I 
laid  over  one  day,  the  stage  only  coming  up  tri-weekly, 
and  at  nine  o'clock  at  night  started  with  an  overcrowded 
stage,  nine  in  and  two  out  with  driver,  four  good  horses. 


48  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Troy  coach,  road  dead  level  and  very  dusty,  lying  along 
the  banks  of  bayous  which  cut  up  the  country  like  a  net 
work.  Along  these  bayous  lie  the  plantations  rich  in 
sugar  and  cotton  such  as  you  remember  along  the  Mis 
sissippi  at  Baton  Rouge. 

We  rode  all  night,  a  fine  moonlight,  and  before  break 
fast  at  a  plantation  we  were  hailed  by  Judge  Boyce  who 
rode  with  us  the  rest  of  the  journey.  His  plantation  is 
twenty-five  miles  further  up,  but  he  has  lived  here  since 
1 826  and  knows  everybody.  He  insisted  on  my  stopping 
with  him  at  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Moore,  who  is  just 
elected  governor  of  Louisiana  for  the  coming  four  years, 
and  who  in  that  capacity  will  be  President  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors,  who  control  the  Seminary  of  Learning, 
and  whose  friendship  and  confidence  it  is  important  I 
should  secure.  He  sent  us  into  town  in  his  own  car 
riage.  Alexandria  isn't  much  of  a  town,  and  the  tavern 
where  I  am,  Mrs.  Fellow's,  a  common  rate  concern,  as 
all  southern  taverns  out  of  large  cities  are.  Still  I  have 
a  good  room  opening  into  the  parlor. 

General  Graham  came  in  from  his  plantation  nine 
miles  west  of  this,  and  has  been  with  me  ever  since.  At 
this  moment  he  is  at  church,  the  Episcopal.  He  will 
go  out  home  tonight  and  to-morrow  I  go  likewise,  when 
we  are  to  have  a  formal  meeting  to  arrange  some  rules 
and  regulations,  also  agree  on  the  system  of  study.  He 
is  the  person  who  has  from  the  start  carried  on  the  bus 
iness.  He  was  at  West  Point,  but  did  not  graduate,  but 
he  has  an  unlimited  admiration  of  the  system  of  disci 
pline  and  study.  He  is  about  fifty-five  years,  rather 
small,  exceedingly  particular  and  methodical,  and  alto 
gether  different  from  his  brother,  the  general.12 

The  building  is  a  gorgeous  palace,  altogether  too  good 

12  General  R.  B.  Mason,  Sherman's  commanding  officer  in  California.  —  ED. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING        51 

for  its  purpose,  stands  on  a  high  hill  three  miles  north 
of  this.  It  has  four  hundred  acres  of  poor  soil,  but  fine 
pine  and  oak  trees,  a  single  large  building.  Like  most 
bodies  they  have  spent  all  their  money  on  the  naked 
building,  trusting  to  the  legislature  for  further  means 
to  provide  furniture,  etc.  All  this  is  to  be  done,  and 
they  agree  to  put  me  in  charge  at  once,  and  enable  me 
to  provide  before  January  i  the  tables,  desks,  chairs, 
blackboards,  etc.,  the  best  I  can  in  time  for  January  i, 
and  as  this  is  a  mere  village  I  must  procure  all  things 
from  New  Orleans,  and  may  have  to  go  down  early  next 
month.  But  for  the  present  I  shall  go  to  General  Gra 
ham's  tomorrow,  be  there  some  days,  return  here  and 
then  remove  to  the  college,  where  I  will  establish  myself 
and  direct  in  person  the  construction  of  such  things  as 
may  be  made  there. 

There  is  no  family  near  enough  for  me  to  board,  so  I 
will  get  the  cook  who  provides  for  the  carpenters  to  give 
me  my  meals. 

It  is  the  design  to  erect  two  buildings  for  the  profess 
ors,  but  I  doubt  whether  the  legislature  will  give  any 
more,  $135,000  having  already  been  expended.  The 
institution,  styled  by  law  the  Seminary  of  Learning,  has 
an  annual  endowment  of  $8,100,  but  it  is  necessary  for 
the  legislature  to  appropriate  this  annually,  and  as  they 
do  not  meet  till  the  third  Monday  in  January,  I  don't 
see  how  we  can  get  any  money  before  hand.  I  think 
when  the  appropriation  is  made,  however,  my  salary 
will  be  allowed  from  November  i. 

When  I  first  got  here  it  was  hot,  but  yesterday  it 
changed,  and  it  is  now  very  cold.  I  have  a  fire  here, 
but  several  windows  are  broken,  and  the  room  is  as  cold 
as  a  barn,  and  the  lazy  negroes  have  to  be  driven  to 
bring  in  wood. 


52  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  expect  plenty  of  trouble  from  this  source,  the  high 
wages  of  servants  and  the  necessity  to  push  them  all 
the  time  to  do  anything.  I  would  hire  whites,  but  sup 
pose  it  would  be  advisable  and  good  policy  to  submit  to 
the  blacks  for  the  present. 

On  arrival  here  I  found  your  and  Minnie's  13  letters, 
seven  days  in  coming,  which  is  better  time  than  I  ex 
pected.  Mails  come  here  tri-weekly  by  stage  by  the 
route  I  came.  .  . 

Braxton  Bragg,  formerly  captain  of  the  artillery  company  in 
which  Sherman  was  a  lieutenant  during  the  forties,  wrote  from 
his  plantation  welcoming  his  old  comrade  to  Louisiana. 

NEAR  THIBODAUX,  LA.,  November  13,  1859. 

MY  DEAR  SHERMAN:  It  was  a  great  pleasure  to  re 
ceive  your  note  from  Baton  Rouge,  and  I  sincerely  hope 
that  we  may  soon  meet.  I  should  have  written  to  you 
at  once  on  seeing  your  election  to  the  important  position 
you  are  to  fill,  but  did  not  know  where  to  find  you.  The 
announcement  gave  me  very  great  pleasure,  though  my 
influence  to  some  extent  was  given  against  you,  never 
dreaming  you  could  be  an  aspirant.  I  had  united  with 
many  gentlemen  in  New  Orleans  to  recommend  Profess 
or  Sears,  with  whom  I  have  no  acquaintance,  but  sim 
ply  on  the  ground  of  his  being  a  graduate  of  West  Point. 
Indeed,  my  letter  was  general,  and  might  have  applied 
to  any  graduate.  Had  I  known  your  application  I 
should  have  attended  personally  to  forward  your  wishes. 
But  as  it  is  all  is  well. 

Since  seeing  your  appointment  I  have  taken  pains  to 
try  and  advance  the  institution,  and  several  friends  speak 
of  sending  their  sons.  Whatever  is  in  my  power  will  be 
most  cheerfully  done  for  your  personal  interest,  and  for 
the  institution  generally.  We  must  meet,  but  it  is  im- 

13  Sherman's  eldest  daughter.  —  ED. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      53 

possible  for  me  to  leave  home  now.  Until  nearly  Christ 
mas  I  shall  be  overrun  with  business,  or  rather  confined 
by  it.  We  are  in  the  midst  of  [sugar]  manufacturing, 
and  a  cold  spell  is  now  on  us  which  inflicts  a  heavy  loss 
every  day  lost.  I  even  work  on  Sunday  from  this  time 
to  the  end. 

At  home  I  have  leisure,  and  am  most  happy  to  see 
friends.  Kilburn,14  who  is  stationed  in  the  city,  [is]  com 
ing  tomorrow  to  spend  a  few  days.  Why  can't  you  do 
so?  You  can  take  dinner  with  me  after  breakfast  in  the 
city.  Kilburn  can  put  you  in  the  way,  should  you  have 
time  to  come  down.  I  heard  something  of  your  mis 
fortunes,15  and  sympathised  most  deeply  with  you,  but 
it  is  not  too  late  for  a  man  of  your  energy  and  ability  to 
repair  such  a  disaster. 

Your  institution  I  hope  will  prove  a  success.  It  is 
fairly  endowed  and  has  strong  and  enthusiastic  friends. 
Among  them  you  will  find  the  master  spirit  my  friend, 
General  G.  Mason  Graham.  My  acquaintance  with 
him  was  very  short,  but  very  agreeable.  Friendships 
formed  under  the  enemy's  guns  ought  to  last.18  I  knew 
he  liked  me,  and  I  admired  his  gallantry  and  devotion. 
Present  my  regards  to  him.  You  may  safely  trust  to  his 
friendship.  Our  new  governor  17  will  be  your  friend, 
too.  He  is  a  plain  man,  but  of  excellent  character,  bus 
iness  habits  and  very  large  fortune,  placing  him  above 
temptation  and  demagogery.  Your  professor  of  mathe 
matics,  a  foreigner,18  is  very  highly  spoken  of ;  the  others 
I  do  not  know. 

Mrs.  Sherman  and  the  little  ones  are  not  with  you  I 

14  An  officer  in  the  commissary  department,  United  States  Army.  —  ED. 

15  The  failure  of  the  banking  firms  with  which  Sherman  had  been  connected. 

-En. 

16  Bragg  and  Graham  had  served  together  in  the  Mexican  War.  —  ED. 

17  Thomas  O.  Moore  who  was  to  take  office  in  January,  1860.  —  ED. 

18  Dr.  Anthony  Vallas,   an  Hungarian.  —  ED. 


54  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

suppose  from  your  not  mentioning  them.  We  should 
be  most  happy  to  see  them  when  they  come  to  join  you. 
In  the  meantime,  when  you  can  see  enough  to  form  any 
plan,  let  me  hear  from  you  again,  and  when  and  where 
we  may  meet.  About  January  i,  I  expect  to  be  in  Baton 
Rouge. 

Accept  my  cordial  wishes  for  your  success,  and  hap 
piness. 

About  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  new  superintendent  the 
Louisiana  Democrat  [Nov.  10,  1859]  nad  the  following  edi 
torial  notices  of  the  Seminary  and  its  officers. 

We  would  respectfully  ask  it  as  a  special  favor  from 
our  contemporaries  in  other  parishes  and  in  the  city 
that  they  would  notice  the  fact  that  the  Louisiana  State 
Seminary  will  go  into  operation  on  the  first  day  of  the 
incoming  new  year.  The  magnificent  building,  large 
enough  to  accommodate  a  fine  company  of  cadets,  is 
now  nearly  ready  for  their  reception.  One  of  the  pro 
fessors,  Dr.  Anthony  Vallas,  the  distinguished  author  of 
valuable  mathematical  works,  arrived  some  days  ago. 
Major  Sherman,  the  superintendent,  is  on  his  way  hither 
and  all  the  accomplished  corps  will  be  on  the  ground  in 
ample  season  to  aid  in  organizing  this  new  institu 
tion.  .  .  The  institution  will  in  all  probability  be 
completely  organized  before  the  day  fixed  for  the  initia 
tion  of  its  active  career  of  usefulness. 

Applications  for  cadetships  or  admission  as  pupils 
must  be  addressed  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  through 
its  president  and  directed  to  this  place,  and  not  to  indi 
vidual  members  of  the  Board.  Applicants  must  be  fif 
teen  years  of  age,  and  residents  of  Louisiana.  Cadets 
are  to  be  appointed  by  the  Board  in  equal  numbers  from 
the  several  senatorial  districts.  There  being  thirty-two 
senatorial  districts  and  the  Seminary  building  being  ca- 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      55 

pable  of  accommodating  one  hundred  and  sixty  cadets 
the  proportion  will  be  about  five  appointments  from  each 
District.  .  . 

The  unrivalled  salubrity  of  its  location,  the  conven 
ience  and  elegance  of  its  chief  building,  the  munificent 
donation  from  the  federal  government  which  secures  its 
independent  support,  and  a  full  corps  of  teachers  of 
eminent  attainments  and  superior  capacity  for  instruc 
tion,  will  combine  to  place  the  Military  Seminary  of 
Louisiana  among  the  first  seats  of  learning  in  the  South. 

We  note  with  pleasure  that  a  distinguished  officer  of 
the  U.S.  Army,  a  graduate  of  West  Point  and  a  Creole 
of  Louisiana,  Major  Beauregard,  of  New  Orleans,  has 
already  made  application  to  the  Board  for  the  appoint 
ment  of  two  sons  as  cadets.  This  appreciation  of  our 
new  state  institution  on  the  part  of  this  worthy  officer  is 
significant.  .  . 

Sherman  in  his  Memoirs  [vol.  i,  172]  gives  a  more  connected 
account  of  the  first  weeks  of  his  work  in  Louisiana,  from  his 
arrival  in  Baton  Rouge  on  November  5  to  November  1 8  when 
he  moved  to  the  Seminary  building  in  order  to  supervise  the 
completion  of  the  carpenter's  work  and  the  equipment  of  the 
building. 

In  the  autumn  of  1859,  having  made  arrangements  for 
my  family  to  remain  in  Lancaster,  I  proceeded,  via 
Columbus,  Cincinnati,  and  Louisville,  to  Baton  Rouge, 
Louisiana,  where  I  reported  for  duty  to  Governor  Wick- 
lifTe,  who,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  was  the  president  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  institution  over  which 
I  was  called  to  preside.  He  explained  to  me  the  act  of 
the  legislature  under  which  the  institution  was  founded ; 
told  me  that  the  building  was  situated  near  Alexandria, 
in  the  Parish  of  Rapides,  and  was  substantially  finished ; 
that  the  future  management  would  rest  with  a  Board  of 


56  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Supervisors,  mostly  citizens  of  Rapides  Parish,  where 
also  resided  the  governor-elect,  T.  O.  Moore,  who  would 
soon  succeed  him  in  his  office  as  governor  and  president 
ex  officio;  and  advised  me  to  go  at  once  to  Alexandria, 
and  put  myself  in  communication  with  Moore  and  the 
supervisors. 

Accordingly  I  took  a  boat  at  Baton  Rouge,  for  the 
mouth  of  Red  River.  The  river  being  low,  and  its  nav 
igation  precarious,  I  there  took  the  regular  mail-coach, 
as  the  more  certain  conveyance,  and  continued  on  toward 
Alexandria.  I  found,  as  a  fellow-passenger  in  the  coach, 
Judge  Henry  Boyce,  of  the  United  States  District  Court, 
with  whom  I  had  made  acquaintance  years  before,  at 
St.  Louis,  and,  as  we  neared  Alexandria,  he  proposed 
that  we  should  stop  at  Governor  Moore's  and  spend  the 
night.  Moore's  house  and  plantation  were  on  Bayou 
Robert,  about  eight  miles  from  Alexandria.  We  found 
him  at  home,  with  his  wife  and  a  married  daughter,  and 
spent  the  night  there.  He  sent  us  forward  to  Alexandria 
the  next  morning,  in  his  own  carriage. 

On  arriving  at  Alexandria,  I  put  up  at  an  inn,  or 
boarding-house,  and  almost  immediately  thereafter  went 
about  ten  miles  farther  up  Bayou  Rapides,  to  the  plan 
tation  and  house  of  General  G.  Mason  Graham,  to 
whom  I  looked  as  the  principal  man  with  whom  I  had 
to  deal.  He  was  a  high-toned  gentleman,  and  his  whole 
heart  was  in  the  enterprise.  He  at  once  put  me  at  ease. 
We  acted  together  most  cordially  from  that  time  forth, 
and  it  was  at  his  house  that  all  the  details  of  the  Semi 
nary  were  arranged. 

We  first  visited  the  college-building  together.  It 
was  located  on  an  old  country  place  of  four  hundred 
acres  of  pine-land,  with  numerous  springs,  and  the 
building  was  very  large  and  handsome.  A  carpenter, 
named  James,  resided  there,  and  had  the  general  charge 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      57 

of  the  property;  but,  as  there  was  not  a  table,  chair, 
black-board,  or  anything  on  hand,  necessary  for  a  be 
ginning,  I  concluded  to  quarter  myself  in  one  of  the 
rooms  of  the  Seminary,  and  board  with  an  old  black 
woman  who  cooked  for  James,  so  that  I  might  person 
ally  push  forward  the  necessary  preparations.  There 
was  an  old  rail-fence  about  the  place,  and  a  large  pile 
of  boards  in  front.  I  immediately  engaged  four  car 
penters,  and  set  them  at  work  to  make  out  of  these  boards 
mess-tables,  benches,  black-boards,  etc.  I  also  opened 
a  correspondence  with  the  professors-elect,  and  with  all 
parties  of  influence  in  the  state,  who  were  interested  in 
our  work. 

In  November  a  committee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  met 
with  Sherman,  Vallas,  and  St.  Ange  to  make  regulations  for  the 
government  of  the  school  and  to  arrange  a  course  of  study.  The 
name  "Louisiana  State  Seminary  of  Learning  and  Military 
Academy"  was  adopted.  Several  expressions  in  Sherman's  cor 
respondence  indicate  that  he  considered  the  name  a  monstrosity. 
A  circular  dated  November  17,  prepared  by  Sherman,  was  sent 
out  by  Governor  Wickliffe  announcing  the  approaching  opening 
of  the  school. 

During  November  Sherman  was  busied  at  the  Seminary  ur 
ging  the  construction  work  to  completion,  clearing  the  building  of 
rubbish  and  getting  it  ready  for  equipment.  In  his  correspondence 
with  Mrs.  Sherman  and  General  Graham  he  describes  his  daily 
occupations. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Seminary  of  Learning,  Nov.  19,  1859. 

Since  my  last  I  have  been  out  to  General  Graham's 

who  has  a  large  plantation  on  Bayou  Rapides,  nine  miles 

from  Alexandria.     There  met  Graham  and  Whitting- 

ton,19  and  Sherman,  Vallas,  and  St.  Ange,  professors, 

19  Graham   and  Whittington   were   delegated   by  the   supervisors  to   assist 
the  committee  of  the  faculty  in  drawing  up  rules.  —  ED. 


58  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

to  make  rules  for  the  new  institution  after  the  model  of 
the  Virginia  Military  Institute.  We  took  their  regula 
tions,  omitted  part,  altered  other  and  innovated  to  suit 
this  case,  and  as  a  result  I  have  it  all  to  write  over  and 
prepare  for  the  printer. 

Yesterday  I  moved  my  things  out  and  am  now  in  the 
college  building,  have  taken  two  rooms  in  the  southwest 
tower  and  shall  make  the  large  adjoining  room  the 
office,  so  as  to  be  convenient.  There  are  five  carpenters 
employed  here  and  I  take  my  meals  with  them. 

It  is  only  three  miles  to  Alexandria.  I  walked  out 
yesterday,  and  in  this  morning;  but  Captain  Jarreau, 
who  is  appointed  steward,  lent  me  a  horse  for  the  keep 
ing,  so  that  hereafter  I  will  have  a  horse  to  ride  about 
the  country;  but  for  some  days  I  will  have  writing 
enough  to  do,  and  afterwards  may  have  to  go  down  to 
New  Orleans  to  buy  furniture,  of  which  the  building  is 
absolutely  without,  being  brand  new.  The  weather  has 
been  excessively  dry  here,  but  yesterday  it  rained  hard 
and  last  night  it  thundered  hard.  Today  was  fine  clear 
and  bright  like  Charleston.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  21,  1859. 
DEAR  GENERAL:  .  .  .  The  entire  article  you  call 
Mr.  Boyce's  20  was  written  by  me  rather  hastily,  and  has 
some  typographical  errors  which  I  will  take  the  liberty 
to  correct,  though  I  wrote  it  rather  to  give  Mr.  B.  the 
substance  of  an  article  from  himself,  but  he  inserted  it 
without  change,  making  it  rather  meagre  and  curt.  Still 
what  we  need  is  publicity  as  soon  as  possible.  I  think 
all  the  appointments  should  be  made  absolutely  and  fi 
nally  by  say  December  10,  that  we  may  know  the  num 
ber  of  books  and  articles  absolutely  requisite  by  that 

20  Boyce  was  editor  of  the  Red  River  American. —  "Eft. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      59 

date.  By  that  time  we  can  know  exactly  what  may  be 
procured  here  and  what  of  necessity  must  come  from 
New  Orleans. 

I  will  keep  a  note  of  my  ferriages,  which  I  prefer,  as 
it  is  unsafe  to  trust  the  account  of  the  ferryman.  If  the 
Board  think  I  am  entitled  to  my  salary  from  November 
i  then  I  would  not  ask  renumeration,  but  if  all  salaries 
are  by  law,  or  propriety,  fixed  for  January  i,  then  I 
would  ask  simply  reimbursement  of  actual  outlays,  to 
which  end  I  will  keep  a  note  of  my  expenses. 

I  have  been  to  see  Mr.  Manning,  Dr.  Smith,  Mr. 
Ryan,  and  Henarie  21  several  times  and  will  renew  my 
visits  and  on  all  proper  occasions  will  touch  on  the  points 
suggested.  If  we  have,  say  one  hundred  at  the  start  it 
might  be  well  to  open  with  a  speech  say  from  Mr.  Man 
ning  himself,  and  if  Governor  Moore  could  also  be 
present,  it  would  have  a  good  effect  and  convince  these 
gentlemen  that  we  want  the  development  of  as  much 
literary  talent  as  possible. 

For  my  part  I  am  willing  that  as  much  time  may  be 
given  to  literary  pursuits  as  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
may  prefer.  It  will  in  no  wise  interfere  with  the  mili 
tary  rule.  Only  what  mathematical  studies  we  do  un 
dertake  let  us  make  them  thorough  and  not  superficial. 
I  have  a  couple  of  letters,  one  from  Major  Barnard,  a 
very  distinguished  scholar  and  major  of  engineers,  writ 
ten  in  a  very  bad  hand,  which  I  send  with  this,  for  you 
to  decipher  if  possible.  I  enclose  also  for  your  perusal 
one  from  Gilmore  and  Bragg. 

I  have  had  such  absolute  control  of  business  for  some 
years,  that  I  find  myself  running  off  with  the  bit  in  my 
teeth.  I  ask  you  as  a  friend  to  check  me  if  you  see  me 
usurping  the  province  of  the  directory. 

21  Members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  -  ED. 


60  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  25,  1859. 

I  am  still  out  here  at  the  Seminary,  pushing  on  the 
work  as  fast  as  possible,  but  people  don't  work  hard 
down  here.  The  weather  has  been  warm  and  spring 
like,  but  tonight  the  wind  is  piping  and  betokens  rain. 
This  is  Friday.  I  have  been  writing  all  week,  the  regu 
lations,  and  have  been  sending  off  circulars  -  indeed  ev 
erything  is  backward,  and  it  will  keep  us  moving  to  be 
ready  for  cadets  January  i.  The  Board  of  Supervisors 
are  to  meet  on  Monday,  and  I  will  submit  to  them  the 
regulations  and  lists  of  articles  indispensably  necessary, 
and  I  suppose  I  will  be  sent  to  New  Orleans  to  make  the 
purchases. 

The  planters  about  Alexandria  are  rich  but  the  town 
is  a  poor  concern.  Nothing  like  furniture  can  be  had. 
Everybody  orders  from  New  Orleans.  General  Graham 
is  at  his  plantation  nine  miles  from  Alexandria  and 
twelve  from  here.  I  get  a  note  from  him  every  day 
urging  me  to  assume  all  responsibility  as  he  and  all  the 
supervisors  are  busy  at  their  cotton  or  sugar. 

I  believe  I  have  fully  described  the  locality  and  the 
fact  that  although  the  building  for  the  Seminary  is  in 
itself  very  fine,  yet  it  is  solitary  and  alone  in  the  country 
and  in  no  wise  suited  for  families.  Of  course  I  will 
permit  no  family  to  live  in  the  building.  There  hap 
pens  to  be  one  house  about  one-fourth  mile  to  the  rear, 
belonging  to  one  McCoy  in  New  Orleans,  but  that  is 
rented  by  Mr.  Vallas,  the  professor  of  mathematics, 
who  now  occupies  it  with  his  family,  wife  and  seven 
children.  They  are  Hungarians  and  he  is  an  Episcopal 
Clergyman,  but  his  religion  don't  hurt  him  much.  He 
seems  a  pleasant  enough  man,  fifty  years  old,  fat,  easy 
and  comfortable.  .  .  They  have  an  Irishman  and 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      61 

wife  as  servants  and  have  plenty  of  complaints.  The 
house  is  leaky  and  full  of  holes,  so  that  they  can  hardly 
keep  a  candle  burning  when  the  wind  is  boisterous.  In 
deed  the  house  was  built  for  summer  use  and  calculated 
to  catch  as  much  wind  as  possible.  The  design  is  to  ask 
the  legislature  to  appropriate  for  two  professors'  houses 
for  Vallas  and  ourselves. 

If  they  appropriate  I  will  have  the  building  and  will 
of  course  see  to  their  comfort,  but  I  will  make  no  calcu 
lations  until  the  amount  is  settled  on.  I  fear  the  cost 
of  the  building  will  deter  the  legislature  from  appro 
priating  until  the  institution  begins  to  make  friends. 

The  new  governor,  Moore,  lives  near  Alexandria  and 
will  be  highly  favorable  to  liberal  appropriation.  We 
have  fine  springs  of  pure  water  all  round,  and  I  doubt 
not  the  place  is  very  healthy.  Indeed  there  is  nothing 
to  make  it  otherwise  unless  the  long  hot  summers  create 
disease.  I  am  now  comparatively  free  of  my  cough 
and  am  in  about  usual  condition  -  have  to  burn  nitre 
paper  occasionally.  It  is  very  lonely  here  indeed.  No 
body  to  talk  to  but  the  carpenters  and  sitting  here  alone 
in  this  great  big  house  away  out  in  the  pine  wood  is  not 
cheerful.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Nov.  25,  1859. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Young  Mr.  Jarreau  is  now  here 
and  says  his  wagon  is  near  at  hand,  with  a  quarter  of 
mutton  for  Mr.  Vallas  and  myself.  As  I  am  staying 
with  "carpenters'  mess,"  I  thank  you  for  the  favor  and 
will  see  that  Mr.  Vallas  gets  the  whole  with  your  com 
pliments.  Work  progresses  slow,  but  sure.  I  have  the 
regulations  done  and  several  other  papers  ready  for  the 
meeting  Monday.  As  time  passes,  and  Mr.  Vallas  is 
not  certain  that  he  can  get  one  hundred  copies  of  Alge- 


62  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

bra  at  New  Orleans  I  have  ordered  them  of  the  pub 
lisher  in  New  York.     .     . 

Please  let  Mr.  St.  Ange  give  you  the  title  of  his  text 
books,  grammar  and  dictionary.  All  other  text  books, 
ought  to  be  approved  by  the  Academic  Board,  but  as 
that  can't  assemble  in  time,  we  must  take  for  granted 
that  these  preliminary  books  are  absolutely  required  in 
advance.  I  take  it  for  granted  the  particular  grammar 
and  dictionary  can  be  had  in  New  Orleans.  .  . 

To  Thomas  Ewing,  his  father-in-law,  Sherman  wrote  on 
November  27,  in  regard  to  the  Seminary  and  about  educational 
conditions  in  Louisiana. 

A  minority  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  was  opposed  to  the 
military  system  of  government  which  was  championed  by  General 
Graham.  This  opposition  which  gave  trouble  to  Graham  and 
Sherman  is  hinted  at  in  the  letter  from  Graham  to  Governor 
WicklifTe  given  below.  Public  opinion  supported  Graham's 
policy.  This  is  indicated  by  the  two  newspaper  editorials  from 
the  Madison  Democrat  and  the  Louisiana  Democrat,  which  are 
typical  press  notices. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS   EWING 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  near  Alexandria,  La.,  Nov. 

27,  1859. 

DEAR  SIR:  .  .  .  Congress  granted  to  Louisiana 
long  ago,  some  thirty  years,  certain  lands  for  a  Seminary 
of  Learning.  These  lands  have  been  from  time  to  time 
sold  and  the  state  now  holds  the  money  in  trust,  giving 
annually  the  interest  sum  $8100. 

The  accrued  interest  and  more  too  has  been  expended 
in  an  elegant  structure,  only  too  good  and  costly  for  its 
purpose  and  location.  The  management  has  after  a 
series  of  changes  devolved  on  a  Board  of  Supervisors, 
composed  of  fourteen  gentlemen  of  whom  the  governor 
is  ex-officio  president  and  the  superintendent  of  public 
education  a  member.  These  have  selected  five  profes- 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      63 

sors  to  whom  is  entrusted  the  management  of  the  Semi 
nary.  The  state  has  imposed  the  condition  of  educating 
sixteen  free  of  charge  for  rent,  tuition,  and  board.  .  . 

This  building  is  three  miles  from  Alexandria  in  a 
neighborhood  not  at  all  settled,  as  the  land  here  is  poor 
and  unfit  for  cultivation,  all  the  alluvial  land  being  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Red  River.  There  are  therefore 
no  houses  here  or  near  for  families,  and  to  remedy  this 
an  appropriation  will  also  be  asked  to  build  two  suitable 
houses  for  the  married  professors,  Vallas  and  myself. 

Governor  Moore,  just  elected  for  four  years,  says  that 
all  educational  attempts  in  Louisiana  hitherto  failed, 
mostly  because  religion  has  crept  in  and  made  the 
schools  and  colleges  sectarian,  which  does  not  suit  the 
promiscuous  class  who  live  here.  He  doubts  whether 
at  the  start  the  legislature  will  feel  disposed  to  depart 
from  recent  custom  of  refusing  all  such  applications, 
but  doubts  not  if  we  can  for  a  year  or  two  make  good 
showing,  and  avoid  the  breakers  that  have  destroyed 
hitherto  endowed  colleges,  that  this  will  be  fostered  and 
patronized  to  a  high  degree. 

I  shall  therefore  devote  my  attention  to  success,  be 
fore  I  give  my  thoughts  to  personal  advantage;  and  I 
find  too  much  reliance  is  placed  on  me.  I  have  no  doubt 
I  can  discipline  it  and  maybe  control  the  system  of 
studies  to  make  it  a  more  practical  school  than  any  here 
abouts.  And  as  parents  are  wealthy  and  willing  to  pay 
freely  it  may  be  we  can  get  along  for  a  time  with  little 
legislative  aid  further  than  we  can  claim  as  a  right. 

A  small  balance  of  the  last  appropriation  still  remains 
which  I  am  now  expending  on  the  necessary  furniture, 
and  the  Board  of  Supervisors  being  now  in  session  at 
Alexandria  I  expect  they  will  send  me  to  New  Orleans 
to  procure  the  necessary  outfit,  in  which  case  I  will  go 


64  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

down  the  latter  part  of  this  week,  being  absent  about 
ten  days.  Red  River  is  now  low,  still  boats  go  and  come 
with  considerable  regularity. 

I  met  to-day  among  the  Board  of  Supervisors  a  rem 
nant  of  the  old  congressional  times,  Jesse  A.  Bynum,  a 
little  dried  up  old  man,  who  moved  to  Louisiana  from 
North  Carolina,  and  who  has  a  horror  of  an  abolition 
ist.  I  was  told  he  was  angry  at  my  election,  because  he 
thought  all  from  Ohio  were  real  abolitionists,  but  to-day 
he  was  unusually  polite  to  me,  and  told  me  much  of  his 
congressional  experience.  .  .  Yours  affectionately, 

W.  T.  SHERMAN. 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  GOVERNOR  WICKLIFFE 

ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  30,  1859. 

DEAR  SIR:  .  .  .  Only  six  members  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  convened  on  Monday  28th  and  the  same 
number  again  on  yesterday.  Dr.  [S.  A.]  Smith  was 
sick,  but  his  presence  would  not  have  made  a  quorum. 
So  we  did  nothing-  only  talked.  There  was  this  done 
however;  that  as  the  only  means  of  getting  the  money 
from  Doctor  Smith  with  which  to  prepare  the  building 
for  the  reception  and  accommodation  of  cadets,  I  gave 
him  my  individual  obligation  to  hold  him  harmless, 
which  we  all  thought  a  rather  unnecessary  piece  of  fas 
tidiousness  on  the  part  of  the  Doctor.  .  . 

Major  Sherman  will  now  go  to  New  Orleans  on  Sat 
urday  to  make  the  requisite  purchases.  .  . 

I  was  also  requested  in  the  same  capacity,  to  call  an 
other  meeting  of  the  Board  for  Saturday,  Dec.  loth, 
which  I  have  done,  but  do  not  anticipate  any  different 
result,  as  Mr.  Sanford  is  in  Virginia. 

As  it  is  manifest  that  Mr.  Henry  Gray  will  never  at 
tend  any  of  our  meetings,  I  wish  very  much  that  you 
would  oblige  us  by  at  once  appointing  Doctor  Lewis 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      65 

Magruder  in  his  stead.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  education 
and  intelligence,  a  son-in-law  of  Mr.  R.  C.  Hynson, 
stirring,  active  man,  with  a  growing  family,  and  will 
make  a  good  and  attentive  member,  is  a  warm  advocate 
for  the  military  feature  of  the  school,  to  injure  which  in 
indirect  modes  the  two  or  three  opponents  of  it  in  the 
Board  are  now  making  efforts.  If  you  can  at  once  dis 
patch  an  appointment  to  Doctor  Magruder,  it  will  reach 
him  in  time  for  the  next  meeting,  and  greatly  relieve  me, 
for  I  cannot  make  head  against  Manning  and  Smith, 
with  Ryan  22  playing  "f  ast  and  loose"  between  us  all  the 
time. 

FROM  THE  MADISON  DEMOCRAT,  NOVEMBER,  1859 

[The  State  Seminary]  is  to  be  conducted  upon  a  plan 
similar  to  that  of  the  Virginia  Institute  at  Lexing 
ton.  .  .  This  is  a  move  in  the  right  direction.  Our 
legislators  have,  for  once,  at  least,  acted  with  a  view  of 
promoting  the  moral  as  well  as  the  intellectual  advance 
ment  of  the  people  of  the  state. 

Every  father  in  the  Parish  of  Madison,  who  has  a 
son  over  fifteen  years  of  age,  that  can  read  and  write 
well,  and  can  perform  with  facility  and  accuracy  the 
various  operations  of  the  four  general  rules  of  arithme 
tic  ...  should  at  once  send  him  to  the  Louisiana 
Seminary  of  Learning,  even  if  he  should  be  compelled 
to  mortgage  his  plantation  to  pay  the  annual  expense  of 
four  hundred  dollars.  .  . 

We  heartily  rejoice  that  a  military  school  of  a  high 
grade  has  been  established  in  our  state,  because  we  know 
that  military  discipline  only  can  make  a  school  effective 
for  good  in  this,  our  perverted  age,  when  almost  every 

22  Judge  T.  C.  Manning,  Dr.  S.  A.  Smith,  and  Michael  Ryan,  all  members 
of  the  Board.  Manning  and  Smith  were  the  chief  opponents  of  the  military 
system.  —  ED. 


66  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

youth  scarcely  out  of  his  teens  considers  himself  inde 
pendent  of  all  moral  restraint,  and  at  liberty  to  do  as  he 
pleases. 

Military  schools  make  the  pupil  not  only  a  soldier, 
ready  to  defend  our  rights  and  our  institutions,  but  they 
impart,  by  the  principle  of  subordination  upon  which 
they  are  conducted,  a  moral  training,  which  will  im 
press  him  with  the  conviction  that  in  order  to  be  able, 
at  some  future  day,  to  command,  it  is  indispensably 
necessary  to  learn  first  how  to  obey. 

FROM  THE  LOUISIANA  DEMOCRAT,  NOVEMBER,  1859 

Over  fifty  applicants  for  cadetships  have  been  re 
ceived  and  warrants  issued  for  them.  This,  with  other 
appointments,  will  insure  an  opening  number  of  about 
seventy-five,  and  we  feel  confident  that  ere  this  session 
shall  have  closed  the  buildings  will  be  filled.  There 
were  some  misgivings,  early  in  the  fall,  that  the  State 
Seminary  would  not  be  ready  to  commence  operation 
on  the  first  of  January,  but  it  is  now  settled,  and  every 
thing  is  prepared  that  the  institution  will  open  on  the 
day  mentioned. 

[The  faculty]  have  been  selected  from  over  eighty  ap 
plicants  marked  for  distinguished  merit  and  ability, 
and,  as  far  as  we  are  competent  to  judge  from  a  short 
personal  acquaintance,  we  honestly  assure  all  parents, 
guardians,  or  others  who  may  have  charge  of  the  edu 
cation  of  youth,  that  if  their  sons  or  wards  are  placed  in 
the  State  Seminary,  if  they  are  capable,  they  will  be  re 
turned  to  them  thorough  scholars. 

We  would  also,  in  this  connection,  disabuse  the  pub 
lic,  or  at  least  a  portion  of  it,  of  the  idea  that  a  school 
organized  upon  a  military  basis  must  needs  make  only 
soldiers.  It  is  a  false  notion  that  because  a  youth  is  com 
pelled  to  be  methodical,  to  learn  to  obey,  and  at  the 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      67 

same  time,  keep  his  self-respect,  that  all  this  is  to  be 
done  at  the  sacrifice  of  time  which  should  be  devoted  to 
study.  A  military  school  differs  from  other  colleges,  in 
a  single,  but  very  material  particular,  only:  the  time 
which  is  generally  given  up  to  the  student  to  be  used  in 
any  manner  his  natural  proclivities  may  suggest  is,  in 
the  State  Seminary,  economized  in  the  shape  of  military 
duty,  and  though  it  may  at  first  work  a  little  harsh,  yet 
after  a  time,  with  a  proper  thinking  youth,  it  becomes  a 
pleasure,  and  as  it  does  not  in  any  measure  interfere 
with  his  scholastic  duties,  we  do  not  see  why  any  ob 
jection  could  or  should  be  made  against  it -certainly  it 
does  not  detract  from  the  merits  of  any  gentleman  to  be 
considered  to  have  a  savoir  faire  in  the  matter  of  hand 
ling  arms. 

The  late  events 23  wrhich  have,  in  some  degree,  agitated 
the  public  mind  certainly  indicate  the  necessity  of  each 
slave-holding  state  encouraging  and  supporting  at  least 
one  military  school  within  its  owrn  limits.  We  know 
that  others  of  the  Southern  States  have  made  it  a  matter 
of  such  consideration  that  these  institutions  are  looked 
upon  as  a  chief  feature  in  their  defensive  material.  Vir 
ginia,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  the  Carolinas,  Georgia, 
Mississippi,  Texas,  and  of  late  Missouri  have  all  appro 
priated  certain  sums  for  the  establishment  of  like  insti 
tutions  and  in  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  Tennessee  these 
schools  have  for  a  period  of  years  been  working  with 
complete  success. 

If  we  admit  the  facts,  and  certainly  we  can  consistent 
ly  do  so,  where  they  are  self-evident,  that  such  establish 
ments  are  necessary  and  that  the  terms  of  scholar  and 
soldier  are  not  incompatible,  then  the  success  of  our 
State  Seminary  is  no  problem.  .  . 

The  plan  upon  which  the  State  Seminary  is  to  be 

23  The  John  Brown  raid  into  Virginia.  —  ED. 


68  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

worked  is  so  methodical  that  it  will  be  found  to  be  the 
cheapest  school  in  the  country.  We  don't  mean  cheapest 
in  an  immediate  dollar  and  cent  signification,  but  cheap 
est  because  of  the  paramount  advantages  it  offers.  A 
youth's  time  is  so  regulated  that  dissolute  and  expensive 
habits  cannot  be  contracted.  Expensive  dress,  dogs, 
horses,  billiards,  etc.,  will  certainly  be  myths  with  a 
cadet  at  the  State  Seminary,  and  parents  will  find  that 
in  the  end  they  will  have  saved  a  considerable  item  in 
this  particular.  In  most  colleges,  the  modern  languages, 
drawing,  book-keeping,  etc.,  are  charged  as  extras  .  .  . 
which  when  paid  for  as  such  at  the  termination  of  a 
four  years'  course,  will  be  found  to  amount  to  quite  one- 
third  of  the  regular  tuition.  .  .  The  particular  loca 
tion  of  the  school,  three  miles  from  this  place,  is  a  matter 
of  some  moment.  The  cadets  cannot  be  subjected  to  the 
malarious  influences  of  the  low  lands  of  the  river,  as  the 
buildings  are  situated  on  an  elevated  stretch  of  table 
land,  surrounded  by  a  healthy  growth  of  pine  forest,  to 
gether  with  the  best  of  water.  There  cannot  be  any  pos 
sible  chance  of  an  epidemic  reaching  any  of  its  inmates; 
though  we  may  be  visited,  as  any  part  of  the  state  is  more 
or  less  liable,  by  an  epidemic  disease,  still  we  confidently 
believe  that  with  anything  like  consistent  precaution  the 
State  Seminary  will  always  escape.  .  . 

About  a  month  before  the  opening,  Sherman  notified  the  pro 
fessors  elect  to  be  on  hand  before  the  appointed  time.  The  fol 
lowing  letter  was  sent  to  Professor  Boyd,  who  was  then  ill  at 
Mt.  Lebanon,  Louisiana. 

W.  T.   SHERMAN  TO  D.   F.  BOYD 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  near  Alexandria,  Nov.  27, 


DEAR  SIR:  Mr.  Manning  tells  me  that  he  has  written 
you  that  your  presence  here  is  not  required  till  after 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      69 

Christmas.  That  may  be,  but  it  would  seem  to  me  better 
that  we  should  all  have  been  here  at  least  a  month 
earlier  to  confer,  agree  upon  our  textbooks,  and  pro 
vide  such  of  them  in  advance  as  will  be  necessary  on  the 
start.  I  have  sent  to  New  York  for  the  mathematical 
textbooks,  and  will  send  to  New  Orleans  for  the  French 
grammar  at  least;  and  I  think  you  had  better  order  at 
once  from  New  Orleans  the  grammar  you  design  to 
teach.  I  think  much  of  our  future  success  [depends]  on 
the  appearance  of  our  start,  and  therefore  any  want  of 
preparation  at  the  outset  would  be  embarrassing.  With 
arithmetic,  algebra,  French  and  Latin  grammar,  we  can 
at  least  begin  at  once,  and  then  the  Academic  Board  or 
faculty  must  as  early  as  we  can  all  come  together,  agree 
upon  the  entire  course  and  textbooks,  when  by  a  system 
I  can  see  that  these  textbooks  are  provided  in  advance. 

Little  or  nothing  can  be  had  in  Alexandria,  and  I 
judge  we  will  receive  no  part  of  our  salaries  till  after 
the  legislature  meets  and  appropriates.  Therefore  I  ad 
vise  you  to  prepare  accordingly,  and  to  bring  with  you 
such  room  furniture  as  you  have  that  admits  of  transpor 
tation. 

I  am  a  stranger  in  these  parts  and  confess  my  ignor 
ance  of  your  locality  and  station,  and  make  the  above 
points  for  your  benefit.  Applications  for  admission 
come  in  pretty  freely,  and  I  think  early  in  January  we 
will  have  from  sixty  to  one  hundred. 

Mr.  Vallas  and  Mr.  St.  Ange  are  here,  both  foreign 
ers.  I  shall,  therefore,  count  much  on  your  capacity  of 
teaching  and  social  qualities.  Think  well  over  the 
branches  assigned  to  you,  and  on  arrival  give  us  the  best 
course  and  textbooks  you  can  select.  I  may  have  to  go  to 
New  Orleans  to  provide  for  the  tables,  room  furniture, 
etc.,  needed  by  the  first  of  January. 


70  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

The  controversy  in  the  Board  over  the  question  of  military 
government  gave  some  concern  to  Sherman  who,  however,  was 
not  in  favor  of  so  severe  a  regime  as  was  General  Graham.  He 
refers  to  the  matter  in  the  following  letters  to  General  Graham 
and  to  his  wife. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Friday,  Dec.  2  [1859]. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  was  in  town  [Alexandria]  yester 
day  at  8  a.m.  and  waited  till  ten  to  prove  the  paper  which 
we  left  with  Mr.  Boyce.  I  then  got  the  first  page  and 
corrected  it.  He  had  not  prepared  the  paper  and  would 
have  to  strike  off  the  whole  number  of  sheets  of  the  first 
matter  before  trying  the  second  page.  I  therefore  as 
sured  myself  that  it  was  in  proper  order,  and  left  Boyce 
to  correct  the  second  page  and  came  out  with  Captain 
Jarreau. 

I  think  we  have  made  fair  progress  now,  and  I  have 
given  Mr.  James 24  written  instructions  with  drawings  of 
what  remains  to  be  done,  and  by  my  return  from  New 
Orleans  I  hope  to  see  all  the  necessary  tables,  benches, 
desks,  blackboards,  stands,  shelves,  and  hooks  all  done. 
I  have  one  man  cutting  wood,  and  Jarreau  promises 
another  next  Tuesday,  so  that  I  feel  confident  that  we 
shall  be  more  than  ready  by  Christmas. 

I  think  also  that  in  New  Orleans  I  will  be  satisfied  to 
depend  on  Alexandria  for  blankets  of  which  both  Rob 
ertson  and  Henarie  have  a  good  supply  at  fair  prices 
from  $3.25  to  $4.50  a  pair.  Same  of  brooms,  glass  tum 
blers,  assorted  hand  soap  and  castile  soap.  I  think  also 
we  may  depend  on  the  Trechur  for  wash-basins  and 
dippers.  All  else  on  my  list  I  will  try  and  bring  up.  I 
feel  a  little  embarrassed  by  Mr.  Ford's  offer  to  make 
twenty-five  or  thirty  mattresses  without  naming  price. 
It  would  be  better  to  have  mattresses  made  uniformly  by 

24  The   contractor.- ED. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      71 

one  responsible  person,  but  as  in  case  of  accident  to  Mr. 
Ford  and  there  being  no  other  mattresses  to  be  had  in 
Alexandria  I  may  purchase  more  than  otherwise  might 
seem  prudent. 

In  New  Orleans,  I  will  ascertain  the  price  of  every 
thing  needed  by  us  in  future,  and  then  if  persons  in  our 
neighborhood  apply  we  can  encourage  the  manufacture 
of  about  the  quantity  needed  at  standard  prices.  .  . 

I  generally  have  strong  opinions  on  a  subject  of  im 
portance,  but  experience  has  taught  me  the  wisdom  of 
forbearance,  and  as  the  Board  will  again  attempt  to  meet 
on  the  tenth  during  my  absence,  I  will  only  say  now 
that  I  listened  to  your  argument  and  that  of  the  other 
members  with  great  interest. 

I  have  always  believed  that  a  Military  Academy  was 
only  possible,  when  the  state  made  present  compensation, 
or  held  out  future  inducements,  to  compensate  the  cadet 
for  the  usual  drills,  guards,  and  restraints  customary  in 
such  colleges,  here  and  abroad.  I  doubt  whether  we 
could  when  cadets  pay  all  expenses  enforce  that  rigid 
obedience  without  which  the  system  would  become 
ridiculous.  I  am  satisfied  that  we  can  make  certain 
drills,  guards,  and  military  parades  and  exercise  so 
manifestly  advantageous  to  the  cadets,  that  their  own 
sense,  judgment,  and  fancy  will  take  the  place  of  com 
pulsion,  and  the  course  of  studies  being  more  practical, 
and  useful,  will  be  preferred  by  cadet  and  parent  to  the 
old  routine  of  grammar  and  everlasting  lexicon. 

As  to  the  encampment,  I  think  in  the  regulations  there 
is  no  mention  made  of  an  encampment,  nor  do  I  recall 
any  expression  that  would  lead  to  it.  Therefore  they 
will  need  no  amendment  on  that  point.  The  Board  can 
pass  over  the  point  in  silence.  If  you  are  not  fortified 
in  the  legislature  it  might  also  be  wise  to  allow  a  few 
years  to  slide  along  till  we  have  four  classes  of  well 


72  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

drilled  cadets.  Let  them  at  first  have  the  vacation  al 
lowed  in  Kentucky,  elsewhere,  and  at  all  literary  col 
leges.  If  our  system  of  instruction  be  good,  and  if  we 
take  good  pains  to  impress  the  cadets  with  our  kindness, 
justness,  fairness,  and  give  them  a  manly  bearing,  good 
ideas  of  truth,  honor,  and  courtesy,  and  withall  teach 
them  practical  wisdom,  by  going  home  they  will  spread 
the  good  seed,  and  actually  serve  the  cause  of  the  insti 
tution  in  its  infancy,  better  than  they  could  in  the  mere 
routine  duties  of  a  camp.  I  do  not  think  an  encampment 
necessary  to  our  course  of  instruction,  nor  does  it  seem  to 
me  prudent  to  prevent  cadets  from  going  home;  if  such 
be  the  custom,  and  if  their  parents  desire  it.  I  don't 
think  Captain  Jarreau  25  will  object  as  his  contract  runs 
for  only  six  months,  and  longer  if  we  are  all  satisfied. 
My  idea  is  to  make  all  things  conspire  to  the  economy, 
cleanliness,  good  order,  and  proper  instruction  of  those 
cadets,  till  we  naturally  pass  into  the  system  which  is  to 
last,  for  some  system  "must  endure." 

Should  the  legislature  of  this  state  determine  to  put  an 
arsenal  here,  the  necessity  of  a  guard  is  then  patent  and 
she  would  naturally  offer  to  pay  us,  and  make  it  to  our 
interest  to  guard  her  property,  afford  a  safe  place  for 
arms,  rendezvous,  and  safety  for  this  at  present  remote 
district  of  valuable  country.  We  would  then  have  a 
good  necessity,  a  good  reason  for  an  encampment,  which 
now  would  be  a  mere  naked  ceremony.  Nevertheless 
my  theory  is  that  the  Board  must  legislate,  and  I  will 
try  to  execute  their  resolves  and  policy.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,   Dec.  2, 

1859. 
.     .     .     Last  Monday  there  was  a  meeting  of  the 

25  The  Seminary  steward.  -  ED. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      73 

Board  of  Supervisors  called  but  the  governor  could  not 
come,  and  consequently  there  was  no  quorum  and  the 
Board  had  to  work  informally.  They  could  not  adopt 
the  regulations,  but  called  another  meeting  for  Decem 
ber  10.  I  attended  the  meeting  and  found  they  were 
willing  to  vest  me  with  ample  powers  but  they  will  be 
embarrassed  in  their  finances  unless  the  legislature  help 
or  unless  we  have  more  students  than  we  now  expect. 
We  shall  prepare  for  one  hundred,  but  sixty  are  as  many 
as  I  expect.  I  will  have  no  teaching  to  do  this  year  un 
less  I  choose,  but  will  have  all  the  details  of  discipline 
and  management. 

I  found  that  there  are  two  distinct  parties  in  the 
Board  -  one  in  favor  of  a  real  out  and  out  military  col 
lege  and  another  who  prefer  a  literary  seminary,  only 
consenting  to  the  military  form  of  government.  The 
former  party  led  by  General  Graham,  want  a  continuous 
course,  without  vacations,  as  at  West  Point,  the  summer 
vacations  to  be  taken  up  with  a  regular  encampment. 
This  would  keep  me  here  all  the  time  until  everything 
had  settled  down  into  such  a  fixed  system  that  I  could  go 
away.  I  can  hardly  forsee  how  it  will  turn  out  but  for 
the  present  believe  we  will  have  a  summer  vacation  of 
two  months,  during  which  I  can  come  to  Ohio. 

The  legislature  meets  the  third  Monday  in  January, 
soon  after  which  we  will  discover  their  temper  and 
whether  they  will  be  willing  to  build  any  buildings  for 
the  professors,  but  I  believe  they  will  not,  as  I  notice  a 
hesitation  to  ask  it  and  unless  it  be  asked  and  urged  very 
strongly  of  course  they  will  not  appropriate.  All  kinds 
of  labor,  building  especially,  costs  so  much  that  though 
the  state  as  such  is  liberal,  yet  they  cannot  answer  half 
the  calls  made  on  them  for  such  purposes. 

I  am  lonely  enough  out  here  alone  in  this  big  house, 


74  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

but  will  have  plenty  to  divert  me  the  next  two  weeks,  and 
afterwards,  the  session  will  be  so  near  at  hand  with  new 
duties  and  new  things.  I  suppose  my  patience  will  be 
tested  to  its  utmost  by  a  parcel  of  wayward  boys. 

After  seeing  the  Seminary  building  put  in  order,  Sherman 
went  to  New  Orleans  to  purchase  supplies.  The  remote  situa 
tion  of  the  school  was  a  source  of  constant  irritation  to  the  fac 
ulty  and  students.  The  following  letter  to  General  Graham 
shows  how  difficult  it  was  to  get  the  necessary  equipment  for  a 
school  in  the  back  woods  of  Louisiana. 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  Sunday,  Dec.  12  [1859]. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  .  .  .  Late  last  night  I  got  the 
dispatch  that  the  books  have  been  shipped;  so  I  think 
we  may  safely  count  on  them  in  time.  I  could  only 
after  long  search  find  four  of  the  French  grammars 
required  by  Monsieur  St.  Ange.  So  of  necessity  had  to 
telegraph  for  one  hundred.  The  steamer  leaves  New 
York  to-day  and  ought  to  be  here  the  22nd  and  at  Alex 
andria  by  the  ist-  rather  close  cutting  for  us. 

All  other  things  I  have  purchased  here.  Many  things 
went  on  Friday  by  the  "Rapides."  I  will  bring  some 
tomorrow  in  the  "Telegram"  and  balance  will  follow 
next  week  in  the  "Rapides."  I  have  paid  in  full  all  bills 
but  furniture  and  have  paid  $1,000  toward  furniture 
out  of  about  $  i  ,500.  I  have  drawn  only  $  i  ,920,  but  will 
buy  about  $50  more  of  little  odds  and  ends,  and  bring 
with  me  in  cash  to  make  up  the  $2,500.  The  balance 
will  remain  to  your  credit,  and  I  think  you  had  better 
meet  me  at  the  Seminary  about  Friday  to  examine  the 
bills  and  receipts,  to  receive  the  cash  I  bring  up,  and  to 
see  the  kind  and  quality  of  furniture.  I  hear  your  let 
ter-press,  book,  brush,  etc.,  cost  about  $13.  You  had 
better  come  with  your  buggy  and  receive  it.  It  had,  for 
convenience,  to  go  with  our  packages.  I  have  sent  up  a 
cooking  range,  cost  $175,  and  want  Jarreau  forthwith 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      75 

to  move  one  or  more  servants  out  to  clean  up  and  get 
ready. 

Many  of  these  items  of  purchase  were  hard  to  find, 
and  my  time  has  been  too  much  taken  up  to  enable  me 
to  attempt  to  make  acquaintances.  I  dined  yesterday 
with  your  friends,  the  Frerets,  who  had  many  kind  in 
quiries  for  you. 

I  have  a  drum  and  drummer,  also  a  fife,  but  thus  far 
have  failed  to  get  a  tailor  or  shoemaker.  I  have  exam 
ined  shoes,  boots,  clothing,  cloth,  etc.,  and  know  exactly 
how  to  order  when  the  time  comes. 

I  have  a  letter  from  Bragg  which  I  will  show  you ;  he 
coincides  with  you  in  the  necessity  of  making  a  military 
academy  by  law,  and  wants  you  to  meet  him  in  January 
at  Baton  Rouge.  Our  first  paramount  duty  is  to  start 
on  present  economical  basis  and  enlarge  as  means  are 
provided.  It  is  easy  to  increase,  but  hard  to  curtail. 
Unless  it  be  convenient  for  you  to  come  over,  write  me  at 
the  Seminary,  to  bring  in  your  press,  money,  and  ac 
counts,  and  appoint  a  day  and  hour,  for  I  must  work 
smart  as  you  know. 

The  inflamed  state  of  public  sentiment  in  regard  to  the  issues 
arising  out  of  slavery  caused  Sherman  much  uneasiness.  His 
brother  John,  then  a  candidate  for  the  speakership  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  was  bitterly  opposed  by  the  southern  mem 
bers  of  Congress  because  of  his  endorsement  of  Hinton  Rowan 
Helper's  Impending  Crisis,  an  intemperate  arraignment  of  the 
slaveholders.  The  following  letters  to  Mrs.  Sherman  and  to 
John  Sherman  refer  to  these  matters. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Sunday,  Dec.  12. 

.     .     .     I  am  stopping  at  the  City  Hotel  which  is 

crowded  and  have  therefore  come  to  this  my  old  office, 

now  Captain  Kilburn's,  to  do  my  writing.    I  wish  I  were 

here  legitimately,  but  that  is  now  past,  and  I  must  do  the 


76  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

best  in  the  sphere  in  which  events  have  cast  me.  All 
things  here  look  familiar,  the  streets,  houses,  levees, 
drays,  etc.,  and  many  of  the  old  servants  are  still  about 
the  office,  who  remember  me  well,  and  fly  round  at  my 
bidding  as  of  old. 

I  have  watched  with  interest  the  balloting  for  speaker, 
with  John  as  the  Republican  candidate.  I  regret  he  ever 
signed  that  Helper  book,  of  which  I  know  nothing  but 
from  the  extracts  bandied  about  in  the  southern  papers. 
Had  it  not  been  for  that,  I  think  he  might  be  elected,  but 
as  it  is  I  do  not  see  how  he  can  expect  any  southern 
votes,  and  without  them  it  seems  that  his  election  is  im 
possible.  His  extreme  position  on  that  question  will 
prejudice  me,  not  among  the  supervisors, but  in  the  legis 
lature  where  the  friends  of  the  Seminary  must  look  for 
help.  Several  of  the  papers  have  alluded  to  the  impro 
priety  of  importing  from  the  north  their  school  teachers, 
and  if  in  the  progress  of  debate  John  should  take  ex 
treme  grounds,  it  will  of  course  get  out  that  I  am  his 
brother  from  Ohio,  universally  esteemed  an  abolition 
state,  and  they  may  attempt  to  catechize  me,  to  which  I 
shall  not  submit. 

I  will  go  on  however  in  organizing  the  Seminary  and 
trust  to  the  future;  but  hitherto  I  have  had  such  bad 
luck,  in  California  and  New  York,  that  I  fear  I  shall  be 
overtaken  here  by  a  similar  catastrophe.  Of  course  there 
are  many  here  such  as  Bragg,  Hebert,  Graham,  and 
others  that  know  that  I  am  not  an  abolitionist.  Still  if 
the  simple  fact  be  that  my  nativity  and  relationship  with 
Republicans  should  prejudice  the  institution,  I  would 
feel  disposed  to  sacrifice  myself  to  that  fact,  though  the 
results  would  be  very  hard,  for  I  know  not  what  else 
to  do. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      77 

If  the  Southern  States  should  organize  for  the  purpose 
of  leaving  the  Union  I  could  not  go  with  them.  If  that 
event  be  brought  about  by  the  insane  politicians  I  will 
ally  my  fate  with  the  north,  for  the  reason  that  the  slave 
question  will  ever  be  a  source  of  discord  even  in  the 
South.  As  long  as  the  abolitionists  and  the  Republicans 
seem  to  threaten  the  safety  of  slave  property  so  long  will 
this  excitement  last,  and  no  one  can  foresee  its  result ;  but 
all  here  talk  as  if  a  dissolution  of  the  Union  were  not 
only  a  possibility  but  a  probability  of  easy  execution.  If 
attempted  we  will  have  Civil  War  of  the  most  horrible 
kind,  and  this  country  will  become  worse  than  Mexico. 

What  I  apprehend  is  that  because  John  has  taken  such 
strong  grounds  on  the  institution  of  slavery  that  I  will 
first  be  watched  and  suspected,  then  maybe  addressed 
officially  to  know  my  opinion,  and  lastly  some  fool  in  the 
legislature  will  denounce  me  as  an  abolitionist  spy  be 
cause  there  is  one  or  more  southern  men  applying  for 
my  place. 

I  am  therefore  very  glad  you  are  not  here,  and  if 
events  take  this  turn  I  will  act  as  I  think  best.  As  long 
as  the  United  States  Government  can  be  maintained  in 
its  present  form  I  will  stand  by  it;  if  it  is  to  break  up  in 
discord,  strife  and  Civil  War,  I  must  either  return  to 
California,  Kansas  or  Ohio.  My  opinions  on  slavery  are 
good  enough  for  this  country,  but  the  fact  of  John  being 
so  marked  a  Republican  may  make  my  name  so  sus 
pected  that  it  may  damage  the  prospects  of  the  Semin 
ary,  or  be  thought  to  do  so,  which  would  make  me  very 
uncomfortable.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Sunday,  Dec.  12. 
DEAR  BROTHER:     ...     I  have  watched  the  des 
patches,  which  are  up  to  Dec.  10,  and  hoped  your  elec- 


78  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

tion  would  occur  without  the  usual  excitement,  and  be 
lieve  such  would  have  been  the  case  had  it  not  been  for 
your  signing  for  that  Helper's  book.  Of  it  I  know  noth 
ing,  but  extracts  made  copiously  in  southern  papers  show 
it  to  be  not  only  abolition  but  assailing.  Now  I  hoped 
you  would  be  theoretical  and  not  practical,  for  practical 
abolition  is  disunion,  Civil  War,  and  anarchy  universal 
on  this  continent,  and  I  do  not  believe  you  want  that.  .  . 
I  do  hope  the  discussion  in  Congress  will  not  be  pro 
tracted,  and  that  your  election,  if  possible,  will  occur 
soon.  Write  me  how  you  came  to  sign  for  that  book. 
Now  that  you  are  in,  I  hope  you  will  conduct  yourself 
manfully.  Bear  with  taunts  as  far  as  possible,  biding 
your  time  to  retaliate.  An  opportunity  always  occurs. 

To  Professor  Boyd  whose  illness  had  prevented  him  from  com 
ing  to  the  Seminary,  Sherman  wrote  from  the  school  on  De 
cember  15,  1859,  giving  information  in  regard  to  the  opening  of 
the  school,  and  the  appointment  of  cadets. 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  ALEXANDRIA,  Dec.  15, 1859. 

MY  DEAR  SIR :  .  .  .  I  wrote  you  some  time  ago, 
addressed  to  Mount  Lebanon,  advising  you  to  come  on 
at  once,  to  get  in  position  before,  we  will  be  all  in  con 
fusion  by  the  arrival  of  the  cadets.  All  the  professors 
are  now  here  at  hand  but  yourself,  and  I  think  you 
should  come  on  at  once.  I  have  just  returned  from  New 
Orleans  where  I  purchased  all  the  room  furniture  for 
cadets,  but  I  bought  nothing  for  professors,  and  advise 
you  to  bring  your  bedding,  indeed  any  furniture  you 
may  have,  as  Alexandria  is  a  poor  place  to  supply.  I 
think  you  will  be  as  comfortable  here,  and  your  health 
be  restored  as  fast  as  anywhere  in  the  state.  All  books 
must  be  ordered  from  New  York.  I  found  the  supply 
in  New  Orleans  very  poor,  and  we  want  a  list  of  your 
first  text  books,  grammar,  and  dictionary  as  soon  as  pos- 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      79 

sible,  that  they  may  be  ordered,  but,  as  I  suppose  we  can 
fully  employ  the  students  the  first  few  months  in  French 
and  Algebra,  I  will  now  await  your  coming. 

The  want  of  certainty  has  caused  many  to  doubt 
whether  we  could  commence  January  2,  but  you  may 
announce  that  it  is  as  certain  as  that  the  day  will  come. 
About  thirty-four  appointments  have  been  made  by  the 
Board  of  Supervisors.  I  suppose  sixteen  will  have  been 
made  by  the  governor.  So  you  see  thus  far  we  have  not 
an  adequate  supply  of  cadets.  The  right  to  appoint  rests 
in  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  but  I  know  their  views  so 
well,  and  there  being  no  time  for  formalities  you  may 
notify  Mr.  Gladney,  and  indeed  any  young  men  between 
fifteen  and  twenty-one,  who  can  read  and  write,  and  who 
have  some  notion  of  arithmetic  (addition,  etc.,  as  far  as 
decimal  fractions)  to  come  on  by  January  second  and 
we  will  procure  for  them  the  appointment  and  receive 
them. 

Each  young  man  should  be  of  good  character  with  a 
trunk  and  fair  supply  of  clothing,  and  must  deposit  two 
hundred  dollars  for  six  months'  expenses  in  advance.  We 
think  we  can  make  the  aggregate  year's  expenses  fall 
within  four  hundred  dollars. 

I  wrote  and  sent  you  circulars  to  Mount  Lebanon 
which  I  infer  you  did  not  receive.  No  cadet  can  be  re 
ceived  except  from  Louisiana. 

Please  state  these  leading  facts  to  some  prominent 
gentleman  of  your  neighborhood,  assure  them  that  its 
success  is  determined  on,  and  that  as  soon  as  the  Academ 
ic  Board  can  meet,  deliberate,  and  refer  their  work  to  a 
Board  of  Supervisors,  full  rules  and  regulations  will  be 
adopted,  published  and  adhered  to.  Until  that  time  we 
can  hardly  assert  exactly  what  are  our  text  books,  or 
what  the  order  of  exercises. 


80  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

It  is  however  determined  that  the  Seminary  shall  be 
governed  by  the  military  system,  which  far  from  being 
tyrannical  or  harsh  is  of  the  simplest  character,  easiest 
of  enforcement  and  admits  of  the  most  perfect  control 
by  the  legislature. 

One  of  Sherman's  strongest  supporters  in  Louisiana  was 
Braxton  Bragg.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  the  Seminary,  was 
a  strong  advocate  of  the  military  system  of  discipline,  and  sympa 
thized  with  Sherman's  embarrassments  due  to  the  fact  that  he 
was  a  northern  man  and  that  his  brother  John  was  an  anti-slavery 
leader.  The  following  letter  from  Bragg  to  Sherman  refers  to 
these  matters. 

THIBODEAUX,  LA.,  December  16,  1859. 

MY  DEAR  SHERMAN  :  I  received  your  letter  from  the 
city.  Had  your  visit  only  been  a  week  later  I  could  have 
met  you,  as  my  confinement  is  over  for  the  present.  My 
crop  was  finished  on  the  i2th,  and  is  by  far  the  most 
profitable  one  I  have  made-  giving  me  a  net  profit  of 
$30,000  on  an  investment  of  $145,000. 

On  the  first  Monday,  January  second,  I  intend  in 
Baton  Rouge  to  enter  on  the  duties  of  an  office  to  which 
I  am  just  elected,  "Commissioner  of  the  Board  of  Pub 
lic  Works,"  a  new  office  in  this  state,  but  the  duties  are 
old,  have  been  discharged  heretofore  by  swamp  land 
commissioner,  engineers,  etc.  The  new  board  is  to  form 
a  bureau  for  the  general  supervision  and  control  of  all 
state  work,  to  appoint  all  officers  and  agents,  etc.  The 
duties  are  heavy,  expenditures  large  (over  $1,000,000  a 
year)  and  the  patronage  extensive. 

Peculations,  frauds,  swindling  and  ignorance  all  com 
bined  to  render  the  previous  system  obnoxious,  and  I  am 
told  the  new  law  was  intended  to  clear  off  the  whole 
debris,  that  a  new  state  of  affairs  might  be  inaugurated. 
I  did  not  and  do  not  wish  the  office,  as  it  gives  no  promi 
nence  and  little  compensation,  but  friends,  principally 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      81 

Richard  Taylor,  son  of  the  old  general,  pressed  me  to 
accept  a  nomination,  as  they  could  find  no  other  man 
whose  name  could  defeat  the  rogues.  Under  this  pres 
sure  I  gave  up  my  privacy,  and  shall  strive  to  inaugu 
rate  an  honest  administration  of  affairs. 

If  I  do  no  more  I  shall  at  least  deserve  the  thanks  and 
probably  receive  the  maledictions  of  many  who  do  not 
or  will  not  understand  the  merits  of  my  conduct.  How 
long  the  duties  will  retain  me  in  Baton  Rouge  on  my 
first  visit  I  can  not  foresee;  but  long  enough  I  hope,  to 
see  many  members  of  the  legislature.  I  believe  I  have 
some  influence  with  R.  Taylor,26  the  senator  from  this 
district,  and  I  will  try  to  intrest  him  in  the  Seminary. 
He  is  a  very  plain,  straightforward  man,  of  great  inde 
pendence,  candid,  honest  and  clearheaded.  Whatever 
he  promises  we  may  rely  on,  as  he  has  great  influence.  I 
have  but  few  others  to  look  to  as  acquaintances  now,  ex 
cept  the  senator  from  Terrebonne,  F.  S.  Goode,  who  is 
like  Taylor,  and  with  whom  I  shall  intercede.  The 
representatives  from  this  parish  are  very  poor  sticks  and 
unreliable. 

We  must  try  and  secure  an  additional  allowance  or 
an  appropriation  to  pay  for  the  sixteen  state  cadets.  I 
clearly  see  that  you  will  need  funds  very  soon,  unless  this 
can  be  done,  for  the  people  of  the  country  are  not  yet 
sufficiently  aware  of  the  institution  and  its  plan,  etc.,  to 
patronize  it  beyond  your  suggestion.  In  time  I  have  no 
doubt,  if  we  can  sustain  it  in  its  infancy,  it  will  become 
popular  and  self-supporting.  In  the  meantime,  we 
must  try  to  harmonize  conflicting  interests  and  opinions. 

We  all  aim  at  the  same  great  end  -  to  furnish  the  most 
suitable  and  most  useful  education  to  the  rising  young 
men  of  our  state.  High  literary  institutions  are  grow- 

28  Richard  Taylor,  son  of  President  Taylor,  later  a  confederate  general.  —  ED. 


82  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

ing  up  around  us  in  every  direction,  but  in  the  scientific 
and  military  we  are  sadly  deficient.  No  class  of  people 
on  the  face  of  the  earth  are  more  dependent  on  science 
and  discipline  for  success  than  the  southern  planters. 
Scan  the  whole  area  of  our  state  and  see  what  proportion 
of  its  capital  and  labor  is  devoted  to  science.  See  our 
levees,  canals,  for  navigation  and  drainage;  our  steam 
ers,  our  foundries,  and  last,  our  plantation  machinery. 
Then  apply  this  science  to  our  soils,  and  see  our  woful 
deficiency  and  waste  in  our  want  of  system  in  cultiva 
tion.  The  very  plantation  is  a  small  military  establish 
ment,  or  it  ought  to  be.  By  military  I  don't  mean  the 
old  fogy  notion  of  white  belts,  stiff  leather  stocks  and 
"palms  of  the  hands  to  the  front,"  but  discipline,  by 
which  we  secure  system,  regularity,  method,  economy  of 
time,  labor  and  material. 

This  all  tends  to  secure  better  health,  more  labor  and 
less  exertion,  and  with  infinitely  less  punishment,  more 
comfort  and  happiness  to  the  laborer,  and  more  profit 
and  pleasure  to  the  master.  The  other  consideration 
weighs  no  little  with  me.  We  have  a  large  class  of  our 
population  in  subordination,  just  and  necessary.  Where 
do  we  find  the  fewest  mutinies,  revolts  and  rebellions? 
In  the  best  disciplined  commands.  Human  nature  is 
the  same  throughout  the  world.  Give  us  all  disciplined 
masters,  managers,  and  assistants,  and  we  shall  never 
hear  of  insurrection  -  unless  as  an  exception  -  to  be  sup 
pressed  instanter  without  appeal  to  foreign  aid. 

As  I  shall  not  have  time  now  to  write  General  Gra 
ham,  you  can  show  him  the  foregoing.  No  considera 
tion  can  overcome  my  preference  for  a  military  school, 
but  I  am  open  to  policy  in  the  course  necessary  to  obtain 
it.  For  the  present  your  course  is  plain,  it  seems  to  me. 
You  are  an  agent  selected  to  carry  out  the  views  of 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      83 

others.  Your  opinion  might  be  expressed  as  a  candid 
man,  but  your  action  should  be  confined  to  carrying  out 
the  system  laid  down  for  your  government.  When 
called  upon  for  your  views,  give  them  freely.  At  all 
other  times  execute  faithfully  what  is  laid  down  for  you. 
But  this  is  advice  I  need  not  give  you  as  from  your  let 
ters  it  is  the  sensible  view  you  have  taken  of  the  subject. 

The  other  question,  personal  to  yourself,  I  can  readily 
see  is  calculated  to  make  you  sensitive  and  uncomforta 
ble.  I  hope  no  one  will  be  so  unjust  and  indelicate  as  to 
refer  to  such  a  matter,  but  should  it  be  done,  keep  silent 
and  refer  the  matter  to  your  friends.  I  will  answer  any 
such  insinuations  and  vouch  for  your  soundness  in  any 
and  all  ways.  I  have  known  you  too  long  and  too  well  to 
permit  a  doubt  to  cross  my  mind  as  to  the  soundness  of 
your  views.  What  sentiments  your  brother  may  enter 
tain  will  be  a  subject  for  our  representatives  at  Wash 
ington.  It  is  all  right  and  proper  that  you  should  wish 
him  success.  I  do  not,  of  course,  know  his  opinions,  but 
I  believe  that  if  he  had  your  experience  with  us  we 
should  have  no  cause  to  fear  him.  His  recommendation 
of  that  fellow's  incendiary  work  was  unfortunate,  but  I 
have  no  doubt  was  done  without  reflection  or  a  knowl 
edge  of  what  he  was  doing,  and  that  he  heartily  repents 
of  an  inconsiderate  act.  I  have  not  the  same  charity  for 
a  good  many  of  our  northern  representatives.  They  go 
too  far,  as  do  some  of  our  own,  but  they  being  the  aggres 
sors  there  is  some  palliation  on  our  side. 

Mrs.  B.  joins  me  in  regards  and  wishing  you  every 
success. 

In  letters  written  to  his  wife  and  to  his  brother-in-law  after 
his  return  from  New  Orleans,  Sherman  refers  to  political  mat 
ters,  to  his  fear  that  his  position  might  become  difficult  and 
outlines  the  views  that  he  held  on  slavery  and  secession,  views 
which  he  did  not  modify  or  conceal  while  in  Louisiana. 


84  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,  Dec.  16,  1859. 

.  .  .  I  wrote  you  and  Minnie  from  New  Orleans 
as  I  told  you  I  would.  I  did  start  back  in  the  "Tele 
gram"  Monday  evening,  and  Red  River  being  up,  we 
came  along  without  delay,  reaching  here  Wednesday 
morning.  I  had  despatched  by  a  former  boat  a  good 
deal  of  freight,  brought  some  in  the  same  boat,  and  all 
the  balance  will  be  here  in  a  day  or  so.  I  walked  out 
from  Pineville,  which  is  the  name  of  a  small  group  of 
houses  on  this  side  of  Red  River,  and  sent  the  cart  in  for 
my  trunk  and  for  the  drummer  I  had  picked  up  in  New 
Orleans.  I  wanted  also  a  tailor  and  shoemaker,  but 
failed  to  get  them.  On  getting  out  I  was  much  disap 
pointed  at  receiving  no  letters,  but  was  assured  that  all 
the  mails  had  failed  for  a  week;  and  last  night  being 
mail  night  I  sent  in  my  new  drummer  who  brought  out 
a  good  budget,  among  them  your  letters.  .  .  So,  as 
you  seem  to  know,  this  is  an  out  of  the  way  place  without 
telegraphs,  railroads,  and  almost  without  mails. 

It  so  happened  that  General  Graham  came  out  the 
very  day  of  my  return,  not  knowing  that  I  was  here,  and 
he  brought  with  him  Mr.  Smith,  the  professor  of  chem 
istry,  who  is  one  of  the  real  Virginia  F.  F.  V.'s,  a  very 
handsome  young  man  of  twenty-two,  who  will  doubtless 
be  good  company.  He  is  staying  with  General  Gra 
ham,  but  will  move  here  in  a  few  days.  General  Gra 
ham  seemed  delighted  with  the  progress  I  had  made, 
and  for  the  first  time  seemed  well  satisfied  that  we  would 
in  fact  be  ready  by  January  i. 

I  have  not  yet  been  to  Alexandria,  as  I  landed  on  this 
side  the  river  and  came  out  at  once,  but  I  shall  go  in  on 
Monday  and  see  all  the  supervisors,  who  are  again  to 
meet.  I  know  the  sentiments  of  some  about  abolition 
ism,  and  am  prepared  if  they  say  a  word  about  John.  I 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      85 

am  not  an  abolitionist,  still  I  do  not  intend  to  let  any  of 
them  reflect  on  John  in  my  presence,  as  the  newspapers 
are  full  of  angry  and  bitter  expressions  against  him.  All 
I  have  met  have  been  so  courteous  that  I  have  no  reason 
to  fear  such  a  thing,  unless  some  one  of  those  who  came, 
applicants  to  the  post  I  fill,  with  hundreds  of  letters, 
should  endeavor  to  undermine  me  by  assertions  on  the 
infernal  question  of  slavery,  which  seems  to  blind  men 
to  all  ideas  of  common  sense. 

Your  letters  convey  to  me  the  first  intimation  I  have 
received  that  the  project  of  -  -  had  not  long  since  been 
abandoned.  .  .  You  remember  I  waited  as  long  as 
I  decently  could  before  answering  Governor  Wickliffe's 
letter  of  appointment,  in  hopes  of  receiving  a  word 
from  -  —  who  promised  Hugh  to  write  from  London. 
Not  hearing  from  him  and  having  little  faith  in  the 
scheme,  I  finally  accepted  this  place  as  the  best  thing 
offering.  Even  yet  I  think  this  is  my  best  chance  unless 
the  question  of  slavery  and  my  northern  birth  and  asso 
ciations  should  prejudice  me,  and  should  -  -  make  his 
appearance  here  I  should  have  to  be  very  strongly  as 
sured  on  the  subject  of  pay  and  permanency  before  I 
would  even  hint  at  leaving.  Of  course  if  I  could  do 
better,  there  is  no  impropriety  in  my  quitting  as  there 
are  many  strong  applicants  for  the  post,  many  of  whom 
possess  qualifications  equal  if  not  superior  to  me.  I 
still  do  not  believe  that  -  -  is  to  be  relied  on  and  I 
don't  expect  he  has  the  most  remote  intention  of  com 
ing  here.  .  . 

These  southern  politicians  have  so  long  cried  out  wolf 
that  many  believe  the  wolf  has  come  and  therefore  they 
might  in  some  moment  of  anger  commit  an  act  resulting 
in  Civil  War.  As  long  as  the  Union  is  kept  I  will  stand 
by  it,  but  if  we  are  going  to  split  up  into  sections  I 
would  prefer  our  children  should  be  raised  in  Ohio  or 


86  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

some  northern  state  to  the  alternative  of  a  slave  state, 
where  we  never  can  have  slave  property. 

I  have  already  described  this  place  to  you  -  the  build 
ing  being  of  course  not  at  all  designed  for  families  - 
and  I  shall  not,  as  long  as  I  control,  permit  a  woman  or 
child  to  live  in  it.  The  nearest  house  is  an  open,  cold 
house  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant  occupied  at  present  by 
Professor  Vallas,  wife  and  five  children.  During  my 
absence  at  New  Orleans  they  had  here  bitter  cold 
weather,  the  same  that  killed  all  the  orange  trees  at  New 
Orleans,  and  Mr.  Vallas  tells  me  he  and  his  family 
nearly  froze,  for  the  house  was  designed  for  summer,  of 
the  "wentilating"  kind. 

There  are  other  houses  between  this  and  Alexandria 
of  the  same  general  kind,  but  they  are  from  one  and  one- 
half  to  two  and  one-half  miles  distant,  too  far  off  for  any 
person  connected  with  the  Seminary  to  live.  The  plan 
is  and  has  been  to  build,  but  the  Seminary  is  utterly  un 
able  to  build,  nor  can  it  hope  to  get  the  money  save  by  a 
gift  from  the  legislature.  General  Graham  thinks  they 
will  appropriate  $30,000.  Governor  Moore,  though  in 
favor  of  doing  so,  has  his  doubts  and  was  candid  enough 
to  say  so.  Without  that  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to 
bring  you  south  even  next  winter.  The  legislature  meets 
in  the  latter  part  of  next  January  and  we  cannot  even  get 
our  pay  until  they  appropriate,  but  they  must  appro 
priate  $8,ioo27  because  it  belongs  lawfully  to  the 
Seminary.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Dec.  23,  1859. 
.     .     .     I  have  the  New  Orleans  papers  of  the  i8th. 

2T  Interest  on  the  Seminary  land  fund.  -  ED. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      87 

I  see  that  the  election  of  speaker  was  still  the  engrossing 
topic,  John's  vote  being  112,  114  being  necessary  to  a 
choice.  Still  I  doubt  his  final  success  on  account  of  his 
signing  for  that  Helper  book.  Without  that  his  election 
would  be  certain.  I  was  at  Alexandria  yesterday  and 
was  cornered  by  a  Dr.  Smith,  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  and  at  present  a  candidate  of  this  Parish  for 
a  seat  in  the  state  senate,  to  which  he  will  surely  be  elect 
ed.  He  referred  pointedly  to  the  deep  intense  feeling 
which  now  pervades  the  South,  and  the  importance  that 
all  educational  establishments  should  be  in  the  hands  of 
its  friends.  I  answered  in  general  terms  that  I  had  noth 
ing  to  do  with  these  questions,  that  I  was  employed  to 
do  certain  things  which  I  should  do,  that  I  always  was  a 
strong  advocate  of  our  present  form  of  government,  and 
as  long  as  it  remained  I  should  be  true  to  it,  that  if  dis 
union  was  meditated  in  any  quarter  I  should  oppose  it, 
but  that  if  disunion  did  actually  occur,  an  event  I  would 
not  contemplate,  then  every  man  must  take  his  own 
course  and  I  would  not  say  what  I  would  do.  I  still  be 
lieve  somehow  or  other  efforts  will  be  made  to  draw 
me  out  on  these  points  and  I  shall  be  as  circumspect  as 
possible. 

A  good  many  gentlemen  and  ladies  have  been  here  to 
see  the  Seminary  which  begins  to  attract  notice.  All  ex 
press  great  pleasure  at  seeing  the  beautiful  building  and 
hope  it  will  become  a  center  of  attraction.  About  the 
time  you  receive  this  we  will  begin  to  receive  cadets  and 
then  things  will  be  pretty  lively.  I  will  have  nothing 
to  do  in  the  way  of  teaching  this  term,  my  time  will  be 
mostly  taken  up  by  supervising  others,  and  seeing  to  the 
proper  supplies  and  furnishment.  .  . 


88  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS  EWING  JR. 

SEMINARY  near  Alexandria,  December  23,  1859. 

DEAR  TOM:  I  received  last  night  a  Leavenworth 
paper  addressed  in  your  handwriting  and  I  wish  you 
would  repeat  them.  I  get  the  New  Orleans  papers  regu 
larly,  but  they  never  say  Kansas;  indeed  I  know  not 
if  they  are  admitted  south,  Kansas  being  synonimous 
with  abolitionism. 

You  can  readily  imagine  the  delicate  position  I  now 
hold  at  the  head  of  a  seminary  to  open  January  i  next, 
for  the  instruction  and  training  of  young  men  to  science 
and  arms,  at  the  same  time  that  John  Sherman's  name  is 
bandied  about  as  the  representative  of  all  that  is  held 
here  murderous  and  detestable.  Thus  far  all  have  had 
the  delicacy  to  refrain  in  my  presence  with  but  one  cas 
ual  exception,  but  I  would  not  be  surprised  if  at  any 
time  I  should  be  officially  catechised  on  the  subject. 
This  I  would  not  stand  of  course. 

I  would  not  if  I  could  abolish  or  modify  slavery.  I 
don't  know  that  I  would  materially  change  the  actual 
political  relation  of  master  and  slave.  Negroes  in  the 
great  numbers  that  exist  here  must  of  necessity  be  slaves. 
Theoretical  notions  of  humanity  and  religion  cannot 
shake  the  commercial  fact  that  their  labor  is  of  great 
value  and  cannot  be  dispensed  with.  Still  of  course  I 
wish  it  never  had  existed,  for  it  does  make  mischief.  No 
power  on  earth  can  restrain  opinions  elsewhere,  and 
these  opinions  expressed  beget  a  vindictive  feeling.  The 
mere  dread  of  revolt,  sedition  or  external  interference 
makes  men  ordinarily  calm  almost  mad.  I,  of  course, 
do  not  debate  the  question  and,  moderate  as  my  views 
are,  I  feel  that  I  am  suspected,  and  if  I  do  not  actually 
join  in  the  praises  of  slavery  I  may  be  denounced  as  an 
abolitionist. 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      89 

I  think  it  would  be  wise  if  northern  people  would  con 
fine  their  attention  to  the  wants  and  necessities  of  their 
own  towns  and  property,  leaving  the  South  to  manage 
slavery  and  receive  its  reward  or  doom,  let  what  may 
come. 

I  am  fully  conscious  that  respectable  men  here  not 
only  talk  but  think  of  the  combinations  to  be  made  in 
case  of  a  rupture.  It  may  be  that  they  design  these 
military  colleges  as  a  part  of  some  ulterior  design,  but 
in  my  case  I  do  not  think  such  to  be  the  case.  Indeed  it 
was  with  great  difficulty  the  Board  of  Supervisors  were 
prevailed  on  by  an  old  West  Pointer  to  give  the  Semi 
nary  the  military  feature,  and  then  it  was  only  assented 
to  because  it  was  represented  that  southern  gentlemen 
would  submit  rather  to  the  showy  discipline  of  arms 
than  to  the  less  ostentatious  government  of  a  faculty. 
Yet,  I  say  that  it  may  result  that  men  are  preparing  for 
the  wreck  of  the  U.S.  government  and  are  thinking  and 
preparing  for  new  combinations. 

I  am  willing  to  aid  Louisiana  in  defending  herself 
against  her  enemies  so  long  as  she  remains  a  state  in  the 
general  confederacy;  but  should  she  or  any  other  state 
act  disunion,  I  am  out.  Disunion  and  Civil  War  are 
synonimous  terms.  The  Mississippi,  source  and  mouth, 
must  be  controlled  by  one  government,  the  southeast  are 
cut  off  by  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  but  Louisiana  oc 
cupies  the  mouth  of  a  river  whose  heads  go  far  north, 
and  does  not  admit  of  a  "cut  off."  Therefore  a  peace 
able  disunion  which  men  here  think  possible  is  absurd. 
It  would  be  war  eternal  until  one  or  the  other  were 
conquered  -  "subject."  In  that  event  of  course  I  would 
stand  by  Ohio.  I  always  laughed  when  I  heard  dis 
union  talked  of,  but  I  now  begin  to  fear  it  may  be  at 
tempted. 


90  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  have  been  to  New  Orleans,  purchased  all  the  fur 
niture  needed,  and  now  await  the  coming  of  January  2 
to  begin  school.  We  expect  from  sixty  to  seventy-five 
scholars  at  first.  I  will  not  teach,  but  supervise  the  dis 
cipline,  instruction,  supplies,  etc. 

How  are  your  plans,  political  and  financial,  progress 
ing?  If  Congress  should  organize  I  suppose  we  will 
have  the  same  war  over  the  admission  of  Kansas. 

Of  the  final  preparations  before  the  opening  of  the  school, 
Sherman  made  report  in  the  following  letters  to  General  Gra 
ham,  the  vice  president  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

SEMINARY,  Dec.  21,  1859. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  ...  I  have  also  another  long 
letter  from  Bragg,  who  warms  in  our  favor,  and  he  will 
be  a  valuable  coadjutator,  should  you  seek  legislative 
action.  He  discusses  two  suggestions  I  made:  First, 
let  the  state  maintain  their  sixteen  cadets,  or  double  the 
endowment.  Meet  Uncle  Sam  half  way.  I  think  the 
latter  the  simplest  offer,  and  if  they  do  this  we  should 
ask  nothing  in  the  way  of  building;  with  a  certain  in 
come  of  $16,200  we  could  annually  enlarge  to  the  extent 
of  three  to  four  thousand. 

I  think  to  ask  any  large  sum  such  as  $30,000,  would 
startle  the  friends  of  the  Seminary,  whereas  to  do  as 
much  for  their  Seminary  as  the  United  States  have  done, 
would  be  in  the  nature  of  a  fair  banter  and  could  easily 
be  debated. 

I  would  like  much  to  come  up  Christmas,  for  I  am 
lonely  enough  here,  and  may  do  so  if  the  day  be  tempt 
ingly  warm.  Still  I  now  have  Jarreau's  negroes  all  at 
work  -  scrubbing,  cutting  wood,  etc.,  and  would  hate  to 
leave,  as  when  the  cat  is  away,  etc.,  and  I  see  they  watch 
me,  as  I  make  my  round  about  twenty  times  a  day.  All  my 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      91 

New  Orleans  purchases  are  here  safe  and  sound,  except 
some  forty  tables  which  I  hourly  expect.  Still  I  have 
forty  on  hand  enough  to  study  by  even  should  a  mistake 
have  occurred.  I  bought  eighty,  but  they  had  to  be  put 
together  after  I  bought  them.  I  go  to  Alexandria  to 
morrow  to  buy  a  few  small  items.  I  beg  you  will  give 
yourself  no  uneasiness  about  the  regulations.  I  am  in 
no  hurry  about  them.  I  have  boards,  like  the  bulletin 
board  in  the  main  hall,  on  which  I  will  post  "roll  call," 
"mess  hall  regulations,"  "regulations  for  rooms,"  etc., 
in  the  form  of  orders,  and  each  cadet  will  study  and  re 
member  them  quite  as  well  as  if  they  were  printed. 

After  Monday  next  I  will  be  prepared  to  entertain 
gentlemen  or  ladies,  and  think  then  a  visit  here  would  be 
opportune. 

SEMINARY,  Dec.  25,  1859. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  .  .  .  I  wish  to  be  understood  as 
perfectly  willing  that  encampments  should  be  inaugu 
rated  at  once,  but  only  that  I,  comparatively  a  stranger, 
should  not  seem  disposed  to  make  this  too  military, 
against  or  with  the  lukewarm  consent  of  the  people  of 
Louisiana.  The  proper  rule  is  for  me  to  execute  the  de 
crees  of  the  legal  authorities,  leaving  them  to  determine 
the  objects  of  the  Seminary. 

I  take  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  our  mathemati 
cal  books  have  arrived  and  I  will  send  for  them  to-mor 
row.  The  publisher  deducts  ten  per  cent  for  cash.  So 
that  I  advise  you  to  cause  the  cashier  of  the  Mechanics' 
and  Traders'  Bank  to  remit  to  A.  S.  Barnes  and 
Brown  ...  the  sum  of  $448.65  to  the  credit  of  the 
"Seminary  of  Learning."  A  prompt  business-like  mode 
of  payments  will  give  us  good  credit,  and  be  of  vast  ser 
vice  to  us,  should  we  ever  get  into  a  tight  place.  I  am 
satisfied  our  present  funds  are  sufficient,  and  in  a  few 


92  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

days,  we  will  be  reimbursed  in  full,  by  the  sale  of  these 
books  and  furniture  to  the  cadets. 

I  am  uneasy  about  the  steward  being  fully  ready.  I 
have  his  sub-steward  here  at  work  as  cook,  he  got  supper 
and  breakfast.  Our  range  requires  more  draft  than  the 
flues  in  the  side-chimney  afforded.  I  changed  it  to  the 
inner  large  fireplace,  walling  up  its  front,  and  it  now 
works  to  a  charm.  I  also  apprehended  a  scarcity  of 
wood.  I  have  failed  in  every  effort  to  get  negroes,  or 
men  to  cut  and  draw  wood.  Can  you  advise  when  they 
are  to  be  had.  Or  if  you  can  send  or  cause  to  be  sent  two, 
immediately,  I  will  give  them  a  month's  employment, 
trusting  to  Jarreau's  boys  after  that.  He  has  only  three 
left  that  are  worth  a  sou,  and  he  will  need  two  of  them. 
It  will  take  the  three  girls  every  day  this  week  to  clean 
up. 

I  have  also  offers  from  New  York  for  our  clothing, 
much  more  satisfactory  than  any  in  New  Orleans.  Coat 
from  $13  to  $16,  vest  and  pants  from  $3.50  to  $4.00; 
samples  of  cloth  are  with  the  offer.  A  beautiful  suit  of 
good  flannel- navy- all  wool,  can  be  made,  coat  $7, 
pants  $4,  vest  $3,  a  really  beautiful  article.  I  have  also 
samples  for  overcoats  from  $10  to  $16.  After  the  arrival 
of  cadets  by  taking  their  measures  carefully,  sending 
them  on,  I  would  in  six  weeks  have  everything  delivered. 
It  can't  be  done  at  all  in  Alexandria.  In  New  Orleans 
I  found  too  many  if's  and  and's:  New  York  is  the  great 
commercial  center  of  America,  and  it  would  be  in  my 
judgment  extreme  squeamishness  to  pay  more  for  a 
worse  article  elsewhere. 

If  prejudice,  non-intercourse,  such  as  Mr.  Manning 
evinced  is  to  restrict  me  in  supplies,  we  shall  be  at  a 
stand  still  soon  enough,  for  I  assure  you,  New  Orleans 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING       93 

could  not  fill  our  small  orders  for  books,  which  left  New 
York  the  day  my  letter  reached  the  publisher.  Admit 
ting  we  buy  in  New  Orleans,  your  merchants  there  are 
northern  men  or  would  at  once  order  of  northern  men, 
thus  subjecting  us  to  double  profits  and  commission.  Of 
course  in  matter  of  clothing,  arms,  and  accoutrements  I 
will  not  be  called  on  to  act  till  after  cadets  are  here,  and 
I  know  I  will  see  you  in  the  mean  time. 

I  have  been  quite  unwell  for  two  days.  I  attributed  it 
to  an  attempt  at  chicken-pie  by  our  old  cook,  but  since 
the  receipt  of  yours  I  suspect  the  oysters.  This  cause 
and  my  unwillingness  to  entrust  our  property  here  to 
irresponsible  servants  deter  me  from  accepting  your 
kind  invitation  for  to-day,  as  also  a  similar  one  from  Mr. 
Henarie  and  Professor  Vallas.  My  Christmas  pleasure 
must  consist  of  thinking  of  my  little  family,  enjoying  as 
I  know  they  do  all  they  could  wish,  in  their  snug  home 
at  Lancaster.  .  . 

I'm  afraid  from  our  frequent  letters,  the  Post  Master 
will  think  we  have  commenced  courting  again. 

While  getting  the  building  in  order  and  getting  in  the  equip 
ment  and  furniture,  Sherman  boarded  with  the  carpenters  who 
were  employed  on  the  work.  This  gave  the  foundation  for  the 
newspaper  story  of  later  days  that  the  State  of  Louisiana,  gather 
ing  all  its  resources  for  war,  refused  to  pay  Sherman's  salary  and 
thus  reduced  him  to  such  straits  that  he  was  forced  to  board  with 
the  servants.  His  own  account  is  given  in  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Sher 
man. 

SEMINARY,  Wednesday,  Dec.  28,  1859. 
.  .  .  I  was  disappointed  the  two  last  mails  at  not 
hearing  from  you,  but  to-morrow  I  feel  certain.  I  will 
go  to  town  myself  and  take  this.  The  time  is  now  near 
at  hand  for  opening  the  Seminary.  I  have  the  mess 
started  in  the  building,  all  the  carpenters  are  out,  all 
the  furniture  ready,  a  pretty  good  stock  of  wood  on 


94  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

hand  and  generally  all  things  are  about  as  far  advanced 
as  I  could  expect.  Still  I  am  the  only  one  ready.  The 
steward  is  sick  on  his  plantation  twelve  miles  off,  his 
son  and  niggers  are  here,  a  good  for  nothing  set.  He 
has  a  white  under  steward  who  has  some  work  in  him 
and  another  white  boy  to  help,  and  I  have  three  negro 
women  scrubbing  out  from  top  to  bottom. 

The  weather  is  rainy,  sloppy,  warm  and  misty,  every 
thing  is  wet  and  uncomfortable,  yet  I  have  pushed  things 
so  that  I  at  least  am  ready.  Smith  is  sleeping  on  the 
floor  in  my  room  on  a  bed  I  bought  for  the  cadets  and 
he  is  waiting  for  his  furniture  from  New  Orleans.  None 
of  the  other  professors  are  here  excepting  Mr.  Vallas 
whom  I  have  told  you  about.  There  have  been  forty- 
three  pay  appointments  and  sixteen  public,  so  we  may 
expect  fifty  or  sixty  this  year,  which  is  a  reasonable  num 
ber  as  this  is  no  time  to  begin.  Everybody  has  made 
arrangements  for  this  winter.  Had  we  begun  in  No 
vember  it  would  have  been  better.  Still  as  this  affair 
is  designed  to  last  forever  it  may  be  well  to  commence 
moderately  first. 

I  had  rather  a  lonely  Christmas,  nobody  here  but  my 
poor  drummer  and  myself.  The  three  negro  women 
rushed  to  my  room  at  daylight  and  cried  "Christmas 
gift,  Massa,"  and  the  negro  boy  Henry  that  chops  wood 
and  the  old  negro  woman  Amy  that  cooks  in  an  out 
house  for  the  carpenters  all  claimed  Christmas  of  me 
thinking  I  am  boss  and  as  rich  as  Croesus  himself.  I 
disbursed  about  $5  in  halves  as  each  of  them  had  done 
me  some  service  uncompensated. 

The  old  cook  Amy  always  hid  away  for  me  the  last 
piece  of  butter  and  made  my  breakfast  and  dinner  bet 
ter  than  the  carpenters',  always  saying  she  "knowed"  I 
wasn't  used  to  such  kind  of  living.  She  don't  know  what 


PREPARING  FOR  THE  SEMINARY  OPENING      95 

I  have  passed  through.  Negroes  on  plantations  are 
generally  allowed  holiday  the  whole  week,  but  we  can't 
give  it  here,  as  this  week  is  devoted  to  cleaning  up  after 
the  dirt  of  plastering,  painting  and  tobacco  spitting  over 
seventy-two  rooms,  halls  and  galleries.  An  immense 
quantity  of  dirt  is  cleaned  away,  but  enough  yet  remains 
to  find  fault  with. 

As  to  Christmas  I  had  invitation  to  General  Gra 
ham's,  to  a  Mr.  Henarie's  in  Alexandria  and  Professor 
Vallas,  all  declined,  because  of  the  property  exposed 
here,  which  it  was  not  prudent  to  leave  unprotected. 
Soon  all  these  things  will  be  distributed,  others  will  be 
here  and  sentinels  to  guard  when  I  take  my  holiday.  .  . 


Ill  THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST 

SESSION 

Beauregard.  Obstacles  to  successful  administration.  Students  arrive  slow 
ly.  Politics  again.  Prospects  of  the  Seminary  before  the  legislature.  Evi 
dence  of  confidence  in  Sherman.  Details  in  regard  to  Seminary  finances, 
enrollment,  needs.  Young  man  rides  one  hundred,  twenty-five  miles  to  see  if 
the  Seminary  is  open.  Beauregard's  views  on  the  proper  education  of  youth. 
Newspaper  notice  of  the  opening  of  the  Seminary.  Extracts  from  the  regula 
tions  prepared  by  Sherman.  John  Sherman's  explanation  of  his  endorsement 
of  the  Impending  Crisis.  Seminary  routine.  Improving  the  Seminary  grounds. 
Sherman  considers  the  purchase  of  slaves.  Sherman's  plans  for  his  family. 
Ignorant  cadets.  Rumor  of  cadets  in  grogshops.  Proposed  legislation  in  re 
gard  to  the  Seminary.  Arguments  in  favor  of  legalising  the  military  system 
of  government  and  discipline.  Report  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

The  Louisiana  State  Seminary  began  its  first  session  on  Janu 
ary  2,  1860.  The  superintendent  was  at  his  post  several  days 
earlier,  busy  organizing  the  administration,  receiving  and  plac 
ing  students  and  professors,  assuring  parents  that  he  would  take 
proper  care  of  their  sons,  and  all  the  while  corresponding  with 
those  interested  in  the  school.  Owing  to  the  disagreement  in  the 
Board  between  the  party  which  favored  an  organization  and 
curriculum  patterned  after  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  and 
those  who  preferred  something  like  the  University  of  Virginia, 
the  book  of  regulations  prepared  by  Sherman  in  November  was 
not  published.  Consequently  much  of  the  information  therein 
contained  had  now  to  be  given  out  through  correspondence. 

Upon  the  superintendent  devolved  also  the  duties  of  treasurer 
and  commissary,  and,  while  Captain  Jarreau  was  ill,  he  was 
forced  to  take  charge  of  the  steward's  work,  oversee  the  boarding 
department  and  direct  the  ill-trained  servants. 

During  the  first  month  everything  was  gotten  into  fair  run 
ning  order.  Candidates  for  entrance  were  examined  and  classi 
fied,  text-books  were  obtained,  uniforms  and  military  equipment 
ordered,  drills  begun,  the  course  of  study  planned,  the  faculty  or 


98  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Academic  Board  organized,  and  the  Seminary  put  upon  a  cash- 
paying  basis. 

Meanwhile  Sherman  continued  to  be  uneasy  about  the  politi 
cal  situation,  not  only  because  he  foresaw  embarrassment  in  his 
own  position  but  because  he  feared  more  serious  sectional  strife. 
An  offer  was  then  made  by  a  commercial  concern  to  send  him  to 
London  to  open  a  branch  house  and  under  the  circumstances  this 
offer  was  seriously  considered. 

The  activities  of  the  first  days  of  the  session  are  described  in 
letters  written  to  General  Graham  and  to  Mrs.  Sherman.  Gra 
ham  and  Sherman  exchanged  letters  nearly  every  day  and  to 
Mrs.  Sherman  and  her  father,  Thomas  Ewing,  he  wrote  inti 
mately  and  with  detail  about  Seminary  matters,  political  condi 
tions,  and  the  difficulties  in  his  way.  The  letters  from  Major 
Beauregard,  a  firm  friend  of  the  Seminary  and  of  Sherman,  are 
typical  of  many  received  by  Sherman  at  this  time.  Beauregard 
placed  two  sons  and  a  nephew  under  Sherman's  care. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  i,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  A  happy  New  Year  to  you  and 
yours.  .  .  I  see  plain  enough  that  the  impression  is 
abroad  that  state  cadets  are  "free"  and  it  will  take  time 
and  patience  to  put  the  matter  aright.  The  first  re 
ported  cadet  is  named  Tempel  from  Bayou  Sara;  he  is 
a  state  appointee,  had  with  him  $37  which  he  deposited, 
and  I  provided  with  a  complete  outfit  at  about  $28,  bed, 
table,  etc.,  and  he  looks  quite  comfortable  in  Room  23. 
He  takes  his  meals  with  the  officers. 

Cadet  Taliaferro's  father  remitted  for  his  use  $250  in 
his  draft  on  New  Orleans.  I  propose  to  pay  this  to  H. 
Robertson  and  Company  as  cash  for  blankets.  I  have 
discharged  all  carpenters  and  to-day  must  settle  with 
them.  I  will  in  any  contingency  act,  things  here  shan't 
stop  or  take  a  check  on  my  account,  for  as  commanding 
officer  I  shall  assume  all  power  subject  at  all  times  to 
account.  I  will  keep  full  accounts  of  all  things  -  money, 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  99 

property,  etc.,  and  will  only  insist  that  the  treasurer 
shall  have  no  commission  on  my  disbursements.  Of 
course  our  finances  are  not  on  a  sound  basis,  we  will  be 
short,  but  it  is  all  important  the  cadets  should  be  well 
provided  in  all  things,  that  the  system  should  be  made 
to  work  well,  that  the  institution  should  have  the  best 
credit,  and  therefore  I  will  pay  all  bills  off  and  keep 
the  cash  system,  and  if  at  the  end  of  the  year,  the  cash 
be  short,  let  the  professors'  salaries  be  behind. 

As  to  rank,  legislation,  etc.,  I  prefer  to  leave  all  to 
you,  for  you  are  more  fully  impressed  with  the  impor 
tance  of  these  things  than  I  pretend  to  be.  If  Dr.  Smith 
and  Mr.  Manning  have  secret  designs  to  legislate  against 
our  place,  they  should  be  met  by  friends  there  on  the 
spot.  I  think  if  consistent  with  your  other  duties  of  life, 
you  could  be  at  Baton  Rouge,  about  Governor  Moore's 
inauguration  it  would  be  appropriate.  To  be  sure  you 
have  labored  enough,  but  having  built  the  arch,  drop 
in  the  keystone,  and  then  you  can  rest  at  ease. 

Please  encourage  the  visits  of  ladies,  gentlemen,  and 
all  strangers  especially  to  a  visit.  I  will  make  it  a  point 
to  attend  them,  and  can  do  much  to  convince  all  that  the 
military  system  is  the  truly  watchful,  parental  system, 
instead  of  the  neglectful  one  of  common  academies. 
Mr.  Smith  and  Mr.  St.  Ange  are  with  me.  Also  Mr. 
Sevier  28  all  provided  a  la  cadet. 

It  is  fortunate  I  got  my  things  in  New  Orleans.  Mr. 
Ford  has  not  delivered  a  single  mattress,  and  I  doubt  if 
he  will.  I  have  seventy-five  good  mattresses,  pillows, 
sheets,  covers,  straps,  etc.,  for  one  hundred  beds,  trust 
ing  to  Ford  for  twenty-five  mattresses.  If  cadets  come 
in  pretty  fast  I  shall  order  twenty-five  from  New  Or- 

28  Dr.  John  W.  Sevier,  a  veteran  of  Walker's  filibustering  expedition,  was 
appointed  surgeon  and  adjutant  of  the  Seminary  in  December,  1859.  —  ED. 


ioo  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

leans,  and  refuse  to  take  Ford's  because  he  has  not  come 
to  time.     .     . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  4,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  .  .  .  We  began  recitations  to 
day.  Mathematics  and  French,  tomorrow  mathematics 
and  Latin.  Mathematics  five  days  a  week;  French 
and  Latin  on  alternate  days,  two  hours  each.  To-mor 
row  we  commence  drills  one  hour  a  day  -  and  two  hours 
on  Saturday.  Everything  works  well.  .  . 

P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Jan.  4,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Allow  me  to  introduce  to  you  the  bearer, 
my  son  Rene  T.  Beauregard,  who  goes  to  report  to  you 
under  the  charge  of  W.  I.  N.  Reid  of  this  city,  for  my 
occupation  will  not  permit  me  to  accompany  him.  .  . 

May  I  take  the  liberty  to  ask  you  to  find  for  my  son  a 
proper  roommate,  one  of  studious  and  steady  habits 
who  has  not  seen  much  of  city  life  and  habits,  for  on 
this  first  start  in  life  will  depend  his  future  career. 

You  will  no  doubt  find  him  a  very  studious,  correct, 
and  upright  boy  in  every  respect.  I  desire  fitting  him 
for  a  commercial  life.  .  . 

P.S.  I  beg  you  to  furnish  my  son  with  whatever 
objects  he  may  have  need  of  during  his  stay  at  the  Sem 
inary  and  draw  on  me  for  the  same. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  4,  1860. 

.  .  .  Since  my  last  I  have  been  pretty  busy.  Last 
week  was  very  cold  and  stormy.  The  snow  fell  one 
night  to  depth  of  five  inches  and  lay  all  next  day.  On 
New  Years  however  it  cleared  off  and  was  bright.  Mon- 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  101 

day  was  our  opening  day-  was  bright  cold  and  clear. 
All  the  professors  were  on  hand  and  nineteen  cadets 
made  their  appearance.  Since  then  four  more.  To 
day  we  begin  reciting  in  mathematics  and  French.  To 
morrow  mathematics  and  Latin.  These  studies  and 
drilling  will  occupy  this  year  till  June.  There  are 
sixteen  state  appointments  and  forty-three  by  the  Board- 
fifty-nine  in  all,  so  that  there  are  about  thirty-six  to 
come  yet.  Not  punctual,  according  to  southern  fash- 
sion,  but  partly  occasioned  by  the  severe  weather  of  last 
week  which  has  interrupted  travel. 

If  I  were  to  tell  you  of  the  thousand  and  one  little 
things  that  stand  in  the  way  of  doing  things  here  you 
would  be  amused.  As  a  sample,  in  New  Orleans  I 
could  not  find  the  French  grammars  wanted  by  the  pro 
fessor.  I  telegraphed  to  New  York  and  got  answer 
that  they  would  come  in  time;  they  reached  New  Or 
leans  and  were  sent  up  this  river  by  boat,  but  the  boat 
did  not  land  them,  and  they  have  gone  up  to  Shreve- 
port  and  when  they  will  get  here  we  cannot  guess. 

The  Latin  professor  did  not  get  here  until  the  Satur 
day  before  the  Seminary  opened,  and  now  he  has  to 
begin  instruction  without  text  books.  But  I  am  deter 
mined  they  shall  teach,  and  I  cause  the  young  men  to 
be  marched  to  their  recitation  rooms,  where  the  profes 
sors  must  teach  by  lecture  till  we  get  our  books.  Even 
New  Orleans  is  badly  supplied  with  books  and  we  must 
order  everything  from  New  York.  Some  of  the  hot- 
bloods  talk  of  non-intercourse  with  New  York,  but  that 
is  absurd,  everything  but  cotton  and  sugar  must  come 
from  the  North. 

Professor  Boyd  is  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-five 
years,  and  a  very  clever  gentleman.  Indeed  on  the 
whole  the  professors  are  above  mediocrity.  The  young 


102  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

cadets  too  are  a  very  clever  set  of  young  men.  Our 
messing  arrangements  are  also  quite  complete,  and 
things  work  well. 

You  say  that  -  -  still  thinks  of  coming  south.  I 
still  am  incredulous  and  shall  do  or  say  nothing  to  com 
mit  me  till  I  am  sure.  Seven  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars  a  year  secured  for  two  years  would  be  better 
than  the  post  I  now  hold,  as  I  do  not  believe  this  Sem 
inary  without  legislative  aid  can  pay  us  the  salaries 
they  have  agreed  to  do.  Thus  the  state  has  compelled 
us  to  receive  sixteen  cadets  without  pay.  Their  board, 
clothing,  books,  etc.,  have  to  be  paid  for  by  the  Seminary 
out  of  the  endowment  of  $8,100.  The  actual  cost  of 
board,  etc.,  of  these  sixteen  will  be  near  $4,000,  leaving 
about  the  same  amount  out  of  which  to  pay  professors 
salaries  amounting  to  $i  2,500,  or  in  other  words  we  shall 
receive  only  one-third  the  pay  stipulated  for.  The  pay 
cadets  pay  barely  enough  to  support  themselves.  Every 
thing  will  depend  on  the  legislature  for  this  year,  and 
the  whole  matter  will  be  fully  submitted  to  them. 

Now  that  I  have  fairly  got  the  Seminary  started,  a 
great  point  about  which  there  was  much  doubt,  I  shall 
apply  myself  to  this,  to  procure  legislation  that  will  put 
the  college  on  safe  financial  ground.  The  governor 
and  many  members  are  highly  favorable  and  none  thus 
far  has  breathed  a  word  against  me  on  John's  account. 
I  was  in  hopes  that  General  Graham  would  go  down  to 
Baton  Rouge,  but  he  says  he  cannot,  that  he  has  an 
antipathy  to  such  business  -  politics  and  politicians  be 
ing  obnoxious  to  him  as  they  are  to  me.  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Friday,  Jan.  6,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:     Things  move  along  so  so -only 

twenty  four  cadets.  Captain  Walters  brought  his  boy  of 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  103 

fourteen  years  and  eight  months  and  I  will  receive  him. 
Vallas  is  so  zealous  that  he  keeps  his  class  nearly  four 
hours  in  the  section  room.  I  may  have  to  interfere, 
but  for  the  present  will  leave  him  full  scope  to  develop 
his  "Method."  To-morrow,  Saturday  I  will  have  a 
drill  and  afterward  daily. 

We  had  some  conversation  about  John  Sherman.  You 
have  seen  enough  of  the  world  to  understand  politicians 
and  the  motives  which  influence  and  govern  them ;  last 
night  I  received  a  letter  from  him,  which  explains  his 
signing  that  Helper  book.  He  is  punished  well  and 
deservedly  for  a  thoughtless  and  careless  act  and  will 
hereafter  look  at  papers  before  he  signs  them.  I  also 
send  you  a  letter  he  wrote  me  before  he  left  home  to  go 
to  Washington.  Whatever  rank  he  may  hold  among 
politicians  I  [know]  he  would  do  no  aggressive  act  in 
life.  I  do  think  southern  politicians  are  almost  as  much 
to  blame  as  mere  theoretical  abolitionists.  The  con 
stant  threat  of  disunion,  and  their  enlarging  the  term 
abolitionist  has  done  them  more  real  harm  than  the 
mere  prayers,  preachings,  and  foolish  speeches  of  dis 
tant  preachers.  It  is  useless  for  men  to  try  and  make  a 
party  on  any  basis.  The  professional  politician  will 
slip  in  and  take  advantage  of  it  if  successful  and  drop 
it  if  unsuccessful. 

The  true  position  for  every  gentleman  north  and  south 
is  to  frown  down  even  a  mention  of  disunion.  Resist 
any  and  all  assaults  calmly,  quietly  like  brave  men,  and 
not  by  threats.  The  laws  of  the  states  and  Congress 
must  be  obeyed;  if  wrong  or  oppressive  they  will  be 
repealed.  Better  to  bear,  etc.  I  don't  pretend  to  en 
dorse  republicanism,  John  Sherman  or  anybody  else- 
but  I  send  these  letters  to  show  that  he  is  no  abolitionist. 
As  he  is  my  brother,  is  honest,  of  excellent  habits,  and 


104  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

has  done  his  duty  as  a  son,  brother,  neighbor,  etc.,  and 
as  I  believe,  he  will  fill  any  post  creditably  I  wish  him 
success. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

ALEXANDRIA,  Tuesday  morning  [Jan.  7,  1860]. 
.  .  .  I  have  just  paid  every  bill  due  by  the  Semin 
ary  and  hereafter  the  cash  system  shall  prevail.  We 
now  have  thirty-six  cadets  (five  state).  .  .  John 
Sherman  is  tetchy  about  seeming  to  yield  to  clamor,  but 
if  Dr.  Smith  explains  the  manner  in  which  the  letter 
came  to  him,  nobody  can  object.  We  are  working 
smoothly.  I  have  found  my  books  -  in  Henarie's  loft 
where  they  had  been  three  weeks!  -  too  bad.  They  were 
marked  plain.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS  EWING 

STATE  SEMINARY,  ALEXANDRIA,  Jan.  8,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  As  you  can  well  understand  I  am  in  the 
midst  of  busy  times,  answering  letters,  making  reports, 
issuing  orders,  etc.,  all  pertaining  to  the  organization  of 
a  new  school  on  a  new  plan  for  this  part  of  the  world. 
The  weather  has  been  exceedingly  boisterous.  Snow 
fell  here  last  week,  five  inches,  but  it  lay  only  one  day. 
To-day  was  like  May  with  you.  But  the  rains  and 
frosts  have  made  the  roads  bad  and  have  in  a  measure 
delayed  the  coming  of  our  cadets.  They  have  been  so 
used  to  delay  and  procrastination  that  they  could  not 
understand  the  necessity  of  time. 

I  took  things  in  hand  a  la  militarism,  usurped  full 
authority  and  began  the  system  ab  initio.  We  now 
have  thirty-two  cadets  who  attend  reveille  and  all  roll 
calls  like  soldiers,  have  their  meals  with  absolute  regu 
larity  and  are  already  hard  at  work  at  mathematics, 
French,  and  Latin.  I  am  the  only  West  Pointer,  but 
they  submit  to  me  with  the  docility  of  lambs. 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  105 

A  good  many  gentlemen  have  attended  their  sons  and 
are  much  pleased  with  the  building  and  all  arrange 
ments.  They  occasionally  drop  the  sentiment  of  their 
gladness  that  thus  they  will  become  independent  of  the 
North  and  such  like,  but  not  one  man  has  said  one  word 
about  John  or  anything  at  which  I  could  take  exception. 

The  supervisors  seem  glad  to  devolve  on  me  all  the 
burdensome  task  of  details,  and  are  now  loud  in  their 
determination  to  besiege  the  legislature  to  so  endow  the 
Seminary  that  it  shall  be  above  all  danger  or  contin 
gency.  The  governor  sent  me  word  to-day  to  give  him 
some  points  for  his  message,  and  I  have  written  him  at 
length  urging  him  to  get  the  state,  out  of  her  swamp 
lands,  to  double  our  endowment.  The  present  comes 
from  the  United  States.  If  Louisiana  gives  equal  we 
will  have  an  income  of  $16,200,  which  would  put  us 
above  all  want.  Or  if  she  will  simply  appropriate  to 
pay  for  the  sixteen  cadets  which  she  forces  us  to  educate 
and  support.  .  . 

This  however  is  too  good  a  berth  to  risk.29  I  per 
ceive  I  have  a  strong  hold  there.  The  South  are  right 
in  guarding  against  insidious  enemies  or  against  any 
enemies  whatever,  and  I  would  aid  her  in  so  doing.  All 
I  would  object  to  is  the  laying  of  plans  designed  to  result 
in  a  secession  and  Civil  War.  The  valley  of  the  Mis 
sissippi  must  be  under  one  government,  else  war  is  al 
ways  the  state.  If  I  were  to  suspect  that  I  were  being 
used  for  such  a  deep  laid  plan  I  would  rebel,  but  I  see 
daily  marks  of  confidence  in  me  and  reliance  upon  my 
executing  practical  designs,  and  if  I  were  to  say  that  I 
contemplated  leaving  I  would  give  great  uneasiness  to 
those  who  have  built  high  hopes.  Still  if  -  -  is  in 
earnest  and  I  can  hold  off  till  the  legislature  shows  its 

29  Sherman  here  refers  to  an  offer  made  to  him  of  a  position  in  London.  —  ED. 


106  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

temper  (it  meets  Monday,  the  i6th)  I  will  be  in  better 
attitude  to  act. 

Here  at  $3,500  I  could  save  little  after  bringing  my 
family,  but  I  would  have  good  social  position,  maybe 
a  good  house  and,  taken  all  in  all,  a  pleasant  home,  for 
such  I  should  make  it,  designing  to  keep  my  children 
here  summer  and  winter,  always.  Epidemics  never 
originate  here.  Sometimes  they  come  up  after  having 
sojourned  some  time  below.  .  . 

We  must  absolutely  have  help  this  year  or  the  Sem 
inary  cannot  pay  the  salaries  stipulated  for,  nor  build 
houses  for  the  families.  I  now  handle  all  the  moneys 
and  am  absolute  master  of  all  the  business.  We  have 
a  treasurer  twenty  miles  off,  under  bond,  whereas  I,  in 
fact,  have  in  my  possession  all  the  moneys,  $6,000  near 
ly,  and  for  its  safety  they  have  never  asked  of  me  a 
receipt.  I  cannot  therefore  mistake  the  confidence  of 
the  Board.  Caution  must  be  my  plan  now. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Monday,  Jan.  9,  1860. 

According  to  your  request,  I  prepared  yesterday  and 
will  mail  today  for  Governor  Wickcliffe:  i.  A  copy 
of  our  morning  report  of  yesterday  giving  numbers  of 
officers,  cadets,  and  servants.  2.  Distribution  of  rooms, 
showing  easy  accommodations  for  one  hundred  forty- 
three  cadets,  and  in  case  of  necessity  fifty  more.  3. 
Copy  of  our  register  of  cadets,  giving  names,  etc.,  of 
thirty-one  cadets  (now  thirty-two).  .  .  4.  Copy  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Academic  Board,  showing  the 
basis  of  instruction,  text  books,  etc.  Still  subject  to 
change,  before  being  finally  referred  to  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  for  approval. 

And  lastly  I  wrote  him  a  letter,  giving  him  such 
details  and  suggestions  as  occurred  to  me  at  the  time. 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  107 

Of  all  these  I  retain  copies,  and  would  send  them  to  you 
only  they  are  voluminous,  and  are  always  here  of  rec 
ord,  and  will  be  examined  by  you  on  your  next  visit. 
Our  mess  arrangements,  drill  and  recitations  work  as 
smoothly  as  I  would  expect.  .  . 

Dr.  Smith  30  sent  me  word  to  send  him  about  the  close 
of  this  month  at  Baton  Rouge  full  details  for  his  use. 
I  think  I  had  better  do  so,  carefully  and  minutely. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Wednesday,  January  n,  1860. 
DEAR  GENERAL  :  .  .  .  I  will  receive  all  who  ap 
ply  whether  appointed  or  not,  and  would  suggest  that 
you  send  me  a  few  blank  appointments.  This  idea  is 
suggested  by  the  fact  that  a  young  man  named  Stokes 
rode  one  hundred  twenty-five  miles  from  Monroe  on 
horseback  simply  to  find  out  whether  it  "am  a  fact" 
that  such  an  institution  was  in  existence.  He  brought 
the  enclosed  letter.  I  tried  to  prevail  on  him  to  stay 
but  he  was  ordered  to  return.  I  wrote  Mr.  Noble  to 
send  him  back  forthwith  with  two  hundred  dollars.  He 
thought  he  could  go  and  return  in  seven  days  but  I  allow 
ten.  .  . 

In  the  Louisiana  Democrat  of  January  1 1,  1860,  is  an  editorial 
notice  of  the  opening  of  the  Seminary  based  upon  notes  sent  to  the 
editor  by  Superintendent  Sherman.  It  was  found  necessary  to 
remind  prospective  students  of  the  necessity  of  coming  early  and 
to  advise  the  public  in  regard  to  the  nature  of  the  academic  work 
offered,  the  disagreements  in  the  Board  having  been  made  public. 

To  this  date  the  number  of  cadets  who  have  reported 
themselves  at  the  State  Seminary  is  over  forty,  the  ar 
rivals  having  been  at  the  rate  of  about  six  per  day.  The 
cadets  who  have  arrived  are  creditable  representatives 
of  Young  Louisiana,  averaging  in  age  about  seventeen 

30  State  senator  and  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  —  ED. 


io8  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

years  and  in  height  about  five  feet  six  inches.  A  con 
siderable  proportion  of  them  are  well  advanced  in 
academic  studies  and  several  have  been  members  of 
military  schools  in  other  states. 

By  the  energy  and  forethought  of  the  superintendent, 
the  professors  and  members  of  the  Board,  due  prepara 
tion  had  been  made  for  this  promising  influx  of  cadets, 
who  are  now,  consequently,  already  beginning  their 
studies.  It  is  very  desi rable  that  all  students  who  intend 
to  go  to  the  Seminary  during  the  current  session  should 
report  themselves  at  the  earliest  day  practicable.  .  . 

While  on  this  topic  we  might  as  well  advert  to  a  seri 
ous  error  into  which  some  have  fallen  concerning  the 
course  of  study  at  the  State  Seminary.  It  is  assumed  by 
these  that,  as  the  organization  of  this  institution  is  mil 
itary  in  character,  the  course  of  study  will  of  necessity 
be  purely  scientific,  to  the  exclusion  of  classical  studies. 
On  the  contrary  provision  is  made  for  as  complete  a 
course  of  tuition  in  Latin  and  Greek  as  can  be  enjoyed 
in  any  American  College.  The  chair  of  ancient  lan 
guages  is  filled  by  an  able  professor,  chosen  by  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  from  a  large  number  of  applicants,  and 
recommended  as  well  by  his  attainments  as  by  his  suc 
cess  as  a  teacher.  Our  State  Seminary  has  therefore 
all  the  features  of  a  collegiate  institution  of  the  first 
grade;  its  military  regulations  and  discipline  will  not 
interfere  at  all  with  the  classical  and  scientific  pursuits 
of  the  cadets,  as  we  have  already  fully  explained. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  regulations  prepared  by  Sher 
man  are  of  interest  as  giving  his  views  on  questions  of  curriculum 
and  discipline.  Though  drawn  up  in  November  and  December, 
1859,  and  put  into  operation  in  January,  1860,  the  regulations 
were  not  printed  until  the  vacation  of  1860.  The  scheme  of 
grading  and  the  valuation  of  the  subjects  in  the  course  of  study 
were  borrowed  from  the  West  Point  system.  The  original  manu- 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  109 

script  copy  in  the  handwriting  of  Sherman  was  taken  from  the 
Seminary  in  1864,  when  General  Banks  raided  the  Red  River 
Valley.  In  1909  the  manuscript  was  returned  to  Louisiana 
State  University. 

35.  Each  candidate,  before  he  is  admitted  as  a  cadet, 
must  be  able  to  read  and  write  the  English  language 
well,  and  to  perform  with  facility  and  accuracy  the 
various  operations  of  the  four  ground  rules  of  arithme 
tic  (addition,  substraction,  multiplication,  and  divi 
sion),  of  reduction  of  vulgar  and  decimal  fractions,  of 
simple  and  compound  proportion. 

38.  No  married  person  will  be  received  as  a  cadet, 
and  if  any  one  shall  marry  whilst  a  cadet,  such  marriage 
will  be  considered  as  a  resignation. 

60.  The  Course  of  Instruction  will  be  substantially 
as  follows :     mathematics  -  embracing  arithmetic,   al 
gebra,   geometry,   plane   and  spherical   trigonometry, 
mensuration,  descriptive  geometry,  analytical  geome 
try,  differential  and  integral  calculus. 

61.  Natural  Philosophy  -  embracing  mechanics,  op 
tics,  acoustics,  magnetism,  and  electricity.     Astronomy. 

62.  Chemistry,  with  its  application  to  agriculture 
and  the  arts;  mineralogy  and  geology;  infantry  tactics. 

63.  Surveying,  civil  engineering,  military  engineer 
ing,  as  far  as  the  construction  of  field-work  of  attack  and 
defense;  topography,  perspective  drawing,  sketching 
in  pencil  and  colors;  architecture,  description  of  the 
ancient  orders  and  modern  styles. 

64.  The  English  language,  composition,  and  elocu 
tion  ;  geography  and  history;  mental  and  moral  philoso 
phy. 

65.  The  Latin  and  Greek  languages. 

66.  The  French  and  Spanish  languages. 

67.  Practical  instruction  will  be  given  in  the  infan- 


1 10  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

try  and  artillery  drill,  and  with  the  sword  when  prac 
ticable. 

84.  The  relative  weight  to  be  given  the  different 
subjects  in  forming  the  roll  of  general  merit  shall  be 
expressed  by  the  following  numbers : 

Engineering          .....  300 

Mathematics         .....  300 

Natural  philosophy  ....  300 

Conduct  (demerits)  ....  300 

English  studies  and  literature        .  .  .  300 

Chemistry    .  .  .  .  .  200 

Infantry  tactics     .....  200 

Mineralogy  and  geology    .  .  .  .  100 

Artillery  .  .  .  .  .  100 

French  and  Spanish  ....  300 

Latin  and  Greek  ....  300 

Compositions         .  .  .  .  .  100 

Declamation          .....  100 

Drawing  .....  100 

85.  The  minimum  mark  of  any  subject  shall  be  one- 
third  the  maximum,  intermediate  merit  being  represent 
ed  by  the  terms  of  an  arithmetical  series,  the  extremes  of 
which  are  the  highest  and  lowest  marks,  and  the  number 
of  terms  the  number  in  the  class. 

109.     No  cadet  shall  keep  a  waiter,  horse,  or  dog. 

no.  No  cadet  shall  in  any  way  use  tobacco,  nor 
have  it  in  his  room  or  in  his  possession. 

in.  No  cadet  shall  cook  or  prepare  food  in  the 
Seminary  building,  or  have  cooked  provisions  in  his 
room,  without  permission. 

After  the  Seminary  routine  was  somewhat  fixed,  the  corres 
pondence  of  Sherman  shows  that  he  felt  more  sure  of  his  posi 
tion.  His  own  views  were  understood  by  his  associates  and  he 
had  been  assured  that  neither  his  political  opinions  nor  those  of 
his  brother  would  interfere  with  his  Seminary  work.  During 
the  long  contest  in  Congress  over  the  election  of  a  speaker  of  the 


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BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  117 

House,  W.  T.  Sherman  asked  his  brother  John  why  he  had  en 
dorsed  Helper's  book.  John  Sherman  answered:  "It  was  a 
thoughtless,  foolish,  and  unfortunate  act.  I  relied  upon  the  repre 
sentation  that  it  was  a  political  tract.  .  .  I  was  assured  that  there 
would  be  nothing  offensive  in  it  and  so  ...  I  told  Mor 
gan,  a  member  of  last  Congress,  to  use  my  name.  I  never  read 
the  book,  knew  nothing  of  it.  .  .  Everybody  knows  that  the 
ultra  sentiments  in  the  book  are  as  obnoxious  to  me  as  they  can 
be  to  anyone  and  in  proper  circumstances  I  would  distinctly  say 
so,  but  under  the  threat  of  Clark's  resolution  31  I  could  not  with 
self  respect  say  more  than  I  have."  General  Graham  secured 
this  letter  and  quietly  sent  it  around  among  the  prominent  poli 
ticians  of  the  state.  It  eased  the  situation  considerably,  though 
later  letters  show  that  Sherman  continued  to  be  "somewhat  mor 
bid"  on  the  subject. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  12. 

.  .  .  I  have  allowed  more  time  than  usual  to  pass 
without  writing.  Indeed  I  have  had  a  good  many  calls 
upon  my  time  not  properly  belonging  to  me.  The 
steward  was  sick  of  sore  throat  that  made  it  imprudent 
of  him  to  come  so  I  had  to  supervise  his  mess  affairs. 
I  had  a  parcel  of  lazy  negroes  scrubbing  and  cleaning, 
and  lastly  new  cadets  arriving  and  receiving  their  out 
fits.  I  have  to  do  everything  but  teach.  We  have  now 
forty  cadets  all  at  work  reciting  in  mathematics,  French, 
and  Latin,  also  drilling  once  a  day.  I  drill  one  squad, 
but  as  soon  as  I  get  a  few  of  the  best  far  enough  advanced 
to  help  I  will  simply  overlook.  Hereafter  I  will  have 
none  of  this  to  do. 

Everything  moves  along  satisfactorily,  all  seem 
pleased,  and  gentlemen  have  been  here  from  New  Or 
leans  and  other  distant  points  who  are  much  pleased. 

31  John  B.  Clark,  a  member  of  Congress  from  Missouri,  introduced  a  reso 
lution  to  the  effect  that  no  person  who  endorsed  Helper's  book  was  fit  to  be 
speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  —  ED. 


n8  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  have  knowledge  of  more  cadets  coming,  and  this  be 
ing  the  first  term  and  being  preceded  by  so  much  doubt 
I  don't  know  that  we  have  reason  to  be  disappointed 
with  only  forty.  The  legislature  meets  next  Monday, 
and  then  will  begin  the  free  discussion  which  will  settle 
the  fact  of  professors'  houses  and  other  little  detailed 
improvements  which  will  go  far  to  make  my  position 
here  comfortable  or  otherwise. 

Nobody  has  said  boo  about  John.  Indeed  I  have  two 
letters  from  John  which  I  showed  to  General  Graham 
who  gave  them  to  the  senator  from  this  Parish,  who  took 
them  to  Baton  Rouge.  In  them  John  tells  me  he  signed 
the  Helper  card  without  seeing  it,  not  knowing  it,  but 
after  Clark  introduced  his  resolution  he  would  make 
no  disclaimer.  He  was  right,  and  all  men  acquainted 
with  the  facts  will  say  so.  Even  southern  men.  The 
supervisors  can't  spare  me.  I  manage  their  affairs  to 
their  perfect  satisfaction,  and  all  here  in  the  parish 
would  never  think  of  complicating  me.  But  the  legis 
lature  may-  we  shall  soon  see.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

[January  and  February,  1860]. 

DEAR  BROTHER:  I  received  your  letter  explaining 
how  you  happened  to  sign  for  that  Helper  book.  Of 
course  it  was  an  unfortunate  accident,  which  will  be  a 
good  reason  for  your  refusing  hereafter  your  signature 
to  unfinished  books.  After  Clark's  resolution,  you  were 
right,  of  course,  to  remain  silent.  I  hope  you  will  still 
succeed,  as  then  you  will  have  ample  opportunity  to 
show  a  fair  independence. 

The  rampant  southern  feeling  is  not  so  strong  in 
Louisiana  as  in  Mississippi  and  Carolina.  Still,  hold 
ing  many  slaves,  they  naturally  feel  the  intense  anxiety 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  119 

all  must  whose  property  and  existence  depend  on  the 
safety  of  their  property  and  labor.  I  do  hope  that  Con 
gress  may  organize  and  that  all  things  may  move  along 
smoothly.  It  would  be  the  height  of  folly  to  drive  the 
South  to  desperation,  and  I  hope,  after  the  fact  is  ad 
mitted  that  the  North  has  the  majority  and  right  to 
control  national  matters  and  interests,  that  they  will 
so  use  their  power  as  to  reassure  the  South  that  there 
is  no  intention  to  disturb  the  actual  existence  of  slavery. 

.  .  .  The  excitement  attending  the  speakership 
has  died  away  here,  and  Louisiana  will  not  make  any 
disunion  moves.  Indeed,  she  is  very  prosperous,  and 
the  Mississippi  is  a  strong  link,  which  she  cannot  sever. 
Besides,  the  price  of  negroes  is  higher  than  ever  before, 
indicating  a  secure  feeling.  . 

I  have  seen  all  your  debates  thus  far,  and  no  southern 
or  other  gentleman  will  question  their  fairness  and  dig 
nity,  and  I  believe,  unless  you  are  unduly  provoked, 
they  will  ever  continue  so.  I  see  you  are  suffering  some 
of  the  penalties  of  greatness,  having  an  awful  likeness 
paraded  in  Harper's,  to  decorate  the  walls  of  country 
inns.  I  have  seen  that  of  Harper,  and  as  the  name  is 
below,  I  recognize  it.  Some  here  say  they  see  a  like 
ness  to  me,  but  I  don't. 

.  .  .  I  don't  like  the  looks  of  the  times.  This 
political  turmoil,  the  sending  commissions  from  state 
to  state,  the  organization  of  military  schools  and  estab 
lishments,  and  universal  belief  in  the  South  that  dis 
union  is  not  only  possible  but  certain,  are  bad  signs. 
If  our  country  falls  into  anarchy,  it  will  be  Mexico,  only 
worse.  I  was  in  hopes  the  crisis  would  have  been  de 
ferred  till  the  states  of  the  northwest  became  so  popu 
lous  as  to  hold  both  extremes  in  check.  Disunion  would 
be  Civil  War,  and  you  politicians  would  lose  all  charm. 


120  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Military  men  would  then  step  on  the  tapis,  and  you 
would  have  to  retire.  Though  you  think  such  a  thing 
absurd,  yet  it  is  not  so,  and  there  would  be  vast  numbers 
who  would  think  the  change  for  the  better. 

I  have  been  well  sustained  here,  and  the  legislature 
proposes  further  to  endow  us  well  and  place  us  in  the 
strongest  possible  financial  position.  If  they  do,  and 
this  danger  of  disunion  blow  over,  I  shall  stay  here; 
but  in  case  of  a  breach,  I  would  go  north.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Friday  Night,  Jan.  13,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  .  .  .  We  are  getting  along  well 
enough.  On  Monday  next  a  week,  I  will  order  break 
fast  at  seven,  Mathematics,  five  classes  a  week  from 
eight  to  eleven,  French  from  eleven  to  one,  Latin  two 
to  four,  drill  one  hour  daily-  and  that  order  will  carry 
us  to  June.  The  tailor  was  to  have  been  out  to-day  to 
measure  for  uniforms,  but  as  usual  he  did  not  come. 
As  soon  as  I  have  measures  I  will  order  fifty  uniforms  - 
coats,  vests,  and  pants,  hat  and  forage  caps,  also  a  suit 
of  fatigue  flannel  -  fifteen  dollars  per  coat,  vest,  pants. 

I  think  there  is  no  objection  to  the  use  of  the  extract 
of  Bragg's  letter.  I  also  do  not  object  to  a  reasonable 
use  of  John's  letters  to  me.  I  think  he  would  not  like 
to  appear  to  seek  to  counteract  any  prejudice  against  him 
in  any  quarter,  save  privately  among  gentlemen.  Not 
for  the  public  and  press.  Congressmen  think  their 
public  record  hard  enough  to  reconcile  to  the  changing 
opinions  and  prejudices  of  a  wide-spread  people. 

I  saw  him  last  summer,  had  much  talk  with  him  on 
this  subject,  and  used  all  my  influence  to  prevail  on  him 
to  assume  a  high  national  tone,  and  understood  him  as 
asserting  that  no  bill  could  be  offered  for  any  purpose 
in  Congress  without  southern  politicians  bringing  in 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  121 

some  phase  of  the  negro  question.  But  on  the  subject 
of  slave  property  in  the  states  where  it  exists,  or  any 
molestation  of  the  clear  distinct  rights  relating  thereto, 
guaranteed  by  the  compact  of  government,  he  expressed 
in  a  speech  in  my  hearing  as  emphatic  a  declaration  as 
any  one  could.  But  as  to  nationalizing  slavery  or  get 
ting  Congress  to  pass  a  distinct  law  about  it  in  the  ter 
ritories  that  he  will  not  do.  I  sent  you  his  letter  to  show 
you  my  reason  for  asserting  that  he  is  no  abolitionist. 
I  could  not  understand  his  signing  the  Helper's  card 
and  wondered  why  he  did  not  explain  it  in  his  place, 
but  he  could  not  do  so  after  Clark's  resolution. 

I  did  apprehend  for  a  time  that  any  feeling  against 
him  might  be  turned  against  me  -  not  injuring  me  ma 
terially  as  I  have  still  open  to  me  the  London  offer,  but 
that  my  being  here  might  prejudice  the  Seminary,  a 
mere  apprehension  of  which  would  cause  me  to  act 
promptly -but  I  do  not  apprehend  such  a  result  now. 

Our  grounds  are  being  materially  damaged  by  the 
hauling  of  heavy  loads  of  wood  by  the  front  gate,  over 
the  only  smooth  ground  we  have  for  a  parade;  the 
ground  being  soft  and  the  wagons  turning  upon  the 
Bermuda  grass,  which  is  firmer  than  the  road  I  feel 
much  tempted  to  alter  our  fences  -  thus  to  run  a  fence 
from  the  rear  of  building  straight  to  the  road,  and  com 
pel  all  loaded  wagons  for  Jarreau  or  ourselves  to  enter 
to  the  side  and  rear.  I  think  I  could  do  all  fencing  by 
the  men  employed  to  saw  and  distribute  wood,  especial 
ly  as  the  weather  grows  warm  giving  more  time.  I 
could  get  the  board  for  the  fence  of  Waters,  on  account 
of  his  son  who  is  with  us.  I  estimate  the  entire  cost  of 
all  the  fencing  necessary  at  two  hundred  dollars  and  I 
could  do  all  that  is  necessary  at  one  hundred  fifty  dol 
lars,  and  it  would  add  greatly  to  the  appearance  of  the 
place. 


122  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  made  the  measurements  to-day  and  will  make  a 
diagram  showing  my  meaning  but  of  course  I  will  do 
nothing  without  your  sanction.  We  will  have  some  of 
the  construction  fund  left-  as  our  furniture  will  all  be 
taken  by  cadets  at  a  small  profit  over  cost.  With  pres 
ent  fences  and  gate  constantly  open  our  enclosure  is  full 
of  hogs.  We  dare  not  kill  them,  and  they  root  about 
and  keep  our  premises  nasty.  I  am  full  aware  of  the 
absolute  necessity  for  economy  and  allude  to  the  subject 
only,  as  I  might  now  work  in  labor  of  men  we  must  keep 
employed  at  the  wood-pile;  by  using  split  posts  I  could 
further  reduce  cost;  little  by  little  anyway  I  will  smooth 
the  ground  for  drill.  .  . 

SATURDAY  EVE.  I  have  been  busy  all  day  in  taking 
measures  for  clothing,  in  drill,  examining  applications 
for  leave  to  visit  home  for  Sunday,  etc.,  and  now  as  the 
hour  approaches  to  send  off  my  mail,  I  have  no  time 
even  to  look  over  what  I  wrote  last  night.  Smith  and 
Boyd  go  to-day  to  visit  some  Doctor  from  Virginia  -  to 
be  absent  till  Monday-  thirty-nine  Cadets  present. 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

TYRONE  PLANTATION,  Sunday,  1:15  p.m.,  January  15, 
1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  Captain  Jarreau  has  just  left  here,  after 
bringing  me  yours  of  Friday  night.  I  can  well  com 
prehend  the  pressure  on  your  time,  which  keeps  you 
constantly  busy,  and  therefore  makes  you  write  hurried 
ly.  I  have  more  letters  on  hand  now  myself  than  I 
shall  ever  have  time  to  answer.  You  were  in  this  sort 
of  hurry  when  you  wrote  me  on  the  eleventh.  . 

I  entirely  approve  and  authorize  your  suggestions  in 
regard  to  approaches  and  enclosures.  You  will  see 
where  I  formerly  had  the  gate  put,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  where  [you]  propose  to  put  it  now,  with  the  express 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  123 

view  to  avoid  injury  to  the  front  ground.  Its  removal 
to  its  present  site  was  the  work  of  more  thoughtful  heads 
that  succeeded  me. 

In  regard  to  the  fencing,  pine  posts,  whether  sawed 
or  split,  will  rot  off  very  quick,  the  more  lasting  is  the 
chinkapin,  of  which  a  good  deal  is  generally  to  be  found 
in  the  ravines  and  branch  bottoms.  If  you  cannot  get  it 
convenient  to  yourself  the  Pinewood's  wagoners  can  get 
it  for  you,  if  they  will.  The  gates  I  would  move  im 
mediately.  .  . 

Rest  assured  that  I  neither  have  made  nor  will  make 
any  use  of  Colonel  Bragg's  or  your  brother's  letters  to 
you  that  you  could  yourself  object  to,  although  you 
could  not  show  them  to  those  that  I  can.  The  only 
persons  I  have  shown  them  to  are  Dr.  Smith,  Mr.  Man 
ning,  Captain  Elgee,  and  Mr.  Halsey  and  Goodwin  in 
my  room  at  Mr.  Fellows'  on  Thursday  night,  and  I 
should  now  return  them  to  you  but  that  there  is  one 
other  person  I  am  desirous  to  show  them  to.  I  showed 
them  to  Mr.  Halsey  not  as  an  editor,  yet  because  he  is 
an  editor  too,  in  order  that  he  might  in  that  capacity 
say  nothing  ignorantly,  but  principally  from  the  esti 
mation  in  which  I  hold  him  as  a  gentlemanly  and  right 
minded  man,  as  far  as  the  occupation,  that  of  a  hired 
partizan  editor,  he  is  engaged  in,  will  permit.  .  . 

I  think  the  declaration  of  your  brother  in  the  House 
in  one  of  the  early  days  of  the  present  session  of  Con 
gress,  and  in  the  debate  on  the  President's  message  in 
1856,  republished  in  the  National  Intelligencer  of  the 
twentieth  ult.  ought  to  be  sufficient  for  any  thinking,  re 
flecting  southern  man,  who  has  reason  enough  in  him  to 
admit  of  a  difference  of  opinion  between  himself  and 
other  people. 

Demagogical  politicians  and  partizan  editors  make 


124  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

all  the  mischief.  Since  1830-1833,  I  have  always  be 
lieved  and  never  hesitate  to  express  myself  so  on  all 
occasions,  that  southern  people  of  the  above  classes, 
many  of  them  northern  and  eastern  born,  have  had  quite 
as  much  to  do  with  producing  the  troubles  of  the  coun 
try  as  any  body  else. 

For  yourself,  my  dear  Sir,  if  I  had  never  seen  you  at 
all,  a  knowledge  of  the  facts  that  you  had  passed  through 
the  Military  Academy,  had  served  and  resided  in  the 
south,  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  friendship  of 
Colonel  Bragg,  was  enough  for  me.  The  use  that  I 
desired  to  make  of  your  letters  was  to  forestall  any  ap 
prehensions  on  the  minds  of  others,  not  to  remove  any 
that  I  knew  of.  Am  truly  glad  to  learn  from  you  that 
your  own  mind  is  quiet  on  this  point. 

W.  T.  Sherman's  views  on  politics  and  slavery  were  in  1860 
more  moderate  than  those  of  his  relatives.  He  disliked  slavery 
and  negro  servants  but  saw  no  other  solution  of  the  labor  prob 
lem  in  the  south.  His  letters  on  this  point  are  somewhat  amus 
ing.  Writing  to  his  brother-in-law  in  regard  to  the  prospect  of 
Mrs.  Sherman's  coming  south,  he  describes  the  situation  as  it 
appears  to  him. 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 

Academy,  Alexandria,  Jan.  21,  1860. 
.  .  .  I  have  no  doubt  one  of  our  first  troubles  will 
be  that  Ellen's32  servants  will  all  quit,  after  we  have 
gone  into  debt  to  get  them  here,  and  then  she  will  have 
to  wait  on  herself  or  buy  a  nigger.  What  will  you  think 
of  that- our  buying  niggers?  But  it  is  inevitable.  Nig 
gers  won't  work  unless  they  are  owned,  and  white  ser 
vants  are  not  to  be  found  in  this  parish.  Everybody 
owns  their  own  servants.  I  suppose  next  fall  we  will 
bring  some  down  from  Ohio  and  after  they  leave  and 

32  Mrs.  Sherman.  -  ED. 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  125 

get  married  to  some  roving  Texas  trader  or  carpenter 
with  a  few  hundred  dollars  in  pocket,  we  will  be  without 
servants  and  compelled  to  do  without  or  buy. 

I  have  made  this  point  to  Ellen,  and  you  must  be  care 
ful  in  your  Black  Republican  speeches  not  to  be  down 
on  us  too  hard,  for  your  own  sister  may  be  forced  by 
necessity  to  traffic  in  human  flesh.  Niggers  in  a  cotton 
or  a  sugar  field  are  invaluable,  but  about  a  house  they 
are  dirty  and  of  no  account,  but  they  monopolize  the 
business  and  white  girls  or  boys  as  servants  won't  come. 
Carpenters  and  mechanics  are  white,  but  nearly  all  labor 
is  by  slaves.  Without  them  the  cotton  and  sugar  fields 
would  relapse  into  cane  brakes. 

We  have  sixty-four  cadets,  next  year  the  number  will 
be  double.  I  have  had  my  share  of  petty  troubles  and 
annoyances,  but  thus  far  have  got  along;  but  I  won't  be 
boastful  how  long  I  can  keep  it  up,  as  the  boys  here  are 
wilful  and  govern  their  parents  despotically. 

The  following  letters  by  Sherman  to  his  eldest  daughter  and 
his  wife  give  interesting  glimpses  of  Seminary  life  and  show  an 
other  side  of  the  efficient  superintendent's  nature. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  HIS  DAUGHTER  MINNIE 

SEMINARY,  ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,  Jan.  22,  1860. 

DEAR  LITTLE  MINNIE  :  I  have  not  written  to  you  for 
a  long  time,  but  I  have  sent  many  messages  to  you  and 
the  children  through  your  Mama,  but  as  my  letters  have 
come  very  irregularly,  I  suppose  mine  to  you  have  also 
been  very  irregular.  It  has  rained  very  hard  here,  and 
the  roads  are  so  bad,  that  the  stage  which  brings  the 
mail  can  hardly  travel.  We  have  no  railroads  here 
and  no  telegraphs. 

Our  school  began  the  day  after  New  Year's  and  every 
day  since  cadets  have  been  coming,  sometimes  one  and 


126  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

sometimes  two  a  day.  I  have  to  write  many  letters  to 
their  fathers  and  mothers,  who  think  I  must  take  par 
ticular  care  of  their  children,  but  I  cause  all  to  be  treated 
just  alike.  They  all  recite  every  day  in  algebra,  French, 
and  Latin,  besides  which  we  drill  them  like  soldiers  an 
hour  each  day.  At  present  I  help  the  other  professors, 
but  after  a  while  that  won't  be  necessary,  and  therefore 
I  will  have  more  time.  We  now  have  fifty  young  men, 
some  of  whom  are  only  fifteen  years  old  and  some  are 
men,  but  all  of  them  eat,  sleep,  study,  and  recite  their 
lessons  in  this  building. 

We  put  three  or  four  in  a  room.  All  have  their  beds, 
which  they  make  on  the  floor;  at  daylight  they  make  up 
their  beds,  roll  them  up  and  strap  them.  They  then 
sweep  out  their  own  room,  and  study  their  lessons  till 
breakfast  at  seven  o'clock,  then  they  commence  to  recite 
and  continue  reciting  till  4  p.m.  when  they  are  drilled 
an  hour.  At  sundown  they  get  supper  and  study  their 
lessons  till  10  o'clock,  when  all  go  to  bed  and  sleep  till 
day-light. 

They  all  seem  to  like  it  very  much,  and  the  governor 
of  the  state  is  much  pleased  at  our  arrangements  and 
system.  He  has  made  a  message  to  the  legislature,  rec 
ommending  much  increase,  and  that  suitable  buildings 
should  be  erected  for  me  and  another  professor,  who 
has  a  family.  If  the  legislature  will  do  this  then  I  will 
see  that  we  have  a  good  house,  so  that  next  year  you  and 
Mama,  Lizzie,  Willie,  Tommy,  and  the  baby  will  all 
come  down  to  Louisiana,  where  maybe  we  will  live  all 
our  lives.  I  think  you  will  like  it  very  much. 

There  is  no  snow  here  now.  We  had  snow  only  two 
days  this  winter,  and  there  is  plenty  of  good  wood,  but 
to-day  it  was  so  warm  we  did  not  need  fires  at  all.  The 
grass  is  beginning  to  grow,  and  the  trees  begin  to  look 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  127 

as  though  we  would  soon  have  flowers,  but  generally 
the  leaves  do  not  sprout  until  about  March. 

I  find  the  professors  here  very  nice  gentlemen,  espe 
cially  Mr.  Boyd  and  Mr.  Smith.  Mr.  St.  Ange  is  a  real 
Frenchman,  and  we  laugh  a  good  deal  at  his  oddities. 
Mr.  Vallas  has  a  family,  several  boys  and  one  fine  little 
girl  about  three  years  older  than  you.  I  know  you  will 
be  nine  years  old  when  you  get  this  letter.  .  . 

YOUR  LOVING  PAPA. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  24,  1860. 

.  .  .  Things  along  here  about  as  I  expected.  We 
have  had  many  visitors  -  ladies  with  children,  who  part 
with  them  with  tears  and  blessings,  and  I  remark  the 
fact  that  the  dullest  boys  have  the  most  affectionate 
mothers,  and  the  most  vicious  boys  come  recommended 
with  all  the  virtues  of  saints.  Of  course  I  promise  to 
be  a  father  to  them  all. 

We  now  have  fifty-one  and  the  reputation  of  the  or 
der,  system,  and  discipline  is  already  spreading  and  I 
receive  daily  letters  asking  innumerable  questions.  The 
legislature  also  has  met  and  the  outgoing  Governor 
Wickcliffe  has  recommended  us  to  the  special  attention 
of  the  legislature,  and  a  bill  is  already  introduced  to 
give  us  $25,000  a  year  for  two  years,  which  is  as  long 
as  the  legislature  can  appropriate.  I  think  from  ap 
pearances  this  bill  will  pass,  in  which  case  we  can  erect 
two  professors'  houses  this  summer. 

This  sum  of  money  will  enable  us  to  make  a  splendid 
place  of  this.  In  addition  it  is  also  proposed  to  make 
this  an  arsenal  of  deposit,  which  will  increase  its  im 
portance  and  enable  me  to  avoid  all  teaching  which  I 
want  to  do,  confining  myself  exclusively  to  the  supervi 
sion  and  management.  Thus  far  not  a  soul  has  breathed 


128  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

a  syllable  about  abolitionism  to  me.  One  or  two  have 
asked  me  if  I  were  related  to  the  gentleman  of  same 
name  whose  name  figures  so  conspicuously  in  Congress. 
I  of  course  say  he  is  my  brother,  which  generally  amazes 
them  because  they  regard  him  as  awful  bad.  .  . 

Professor  Smith  and  Boyd  are  very  clever  gentlemen 
and  so  are  Vallas  and  St.  Ange  but  these  are  foreigners 
with  their  peculiarities.  We  have  also  a  Dr.  Sevier 
here,  of  Tennessee,  a  rough  sort  of  fellow  but  a  pretty 
fair  sort  of  man.  .  . 

The  first  month  of  the  session  closed  with  affairs  in  good 
shape,  as  shown  by  the  correspondence,  which,  however,  dis 
closes  the  existence  of  certain  irritating  local  conditions,  both  at 
the  Seminary  and  in  Alexandria. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  Alexandria,  Jan.  24,  1860. 
DEAR  SIR:  .  .  .  There  are  two  cadets  that  may 
call  for  action  on  my  part,  unless  you  think  different: 
D —  and  one  of  the  L — 's  are  so  ignorant  and  evince  so 
little  effort  to  learn,  that  labor  on  them  seems  lost.  I 
might  construe  the  first  month  as  a  preliminary  examin 
ation,  and  being  disqualified  let  them  return  home.  This 
only  after  all  possible  means  to  excite  ambition  or  in 
dustry  are  exhausted. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Sunday  Evening,  January  29,  1860. 
DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  this  p.m.  your  official 
letter  on  the  rumor  in  town  that  some  cadet  had  gone 
into  a  common  grog  shop  and  drank  liquor.  I  forth 
with  embodied  it  into  an  order  and  published  it  at  re 
treat.  I  will  bear  my  testimony  to  the  general  good 
behavior  of  the  young  men  here,  and  I  will  not  allow 
my  mind  to  be  prejudiced  against  them  by  any  mere 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  129 

general  assertion  of  any  person  in  Alexandria.  I  do 
not  believe  the  report.  It  may  be  true,  and  even  if  so, 
I  hope  we  are  able  to  plant  the  roots  of  this  institution 
so  deep  in  the  soil  of  truth,  honor,  knowledge,  and  sci 
ence,  that  it  cannot  be  shaken  by  the  mere  clamor  of 
any  town.  If  the  men  of  Alexandria  have  the  interests 
of  us  at  heart  let  them  deal  by  us  as  fair  men. 

If  young  men  go  into  saloons,  let  them  convey  to  me 
or  to  you  openly,  or  even  confidentially  a  statement, 
naming  persons,  and  dates,  and  not  [make]  general, 
blind  assertions,  intangible,  calculated  to  do  mischief, 
and  utterly  incapable  of  good.  I  know  there  are  some 
who  may  elude  us,  their  teachers.  We  did  it  when 
boys,  and  boys  will  outwit  their  masters  long  after  you 
and  I  are  gone,  but  I  know  that  generally  the  conduct 
of  the  young  gentlemen  here,  at  Alexandria,  going  and 
returning,  has  been  as  proper  and  fair  as  that  of  any 
other  equal  number  at  West  Point  or  Lexington.  I  have 
indirectly  satisfied  myself  of  these  truths,  and  shall  per 
mit  a  portion  of  them  each  Sunday  to  go  as  now  under 
marchers  and  to  return  as  now  for  dinner  here.  I  do  not 
expect  them  to  do  any  thing  else  than  young  gentlemen 
but  should  any  well  established  case  of  drinking  or 
rowdyism  occur,  it  shall  be  punished  summarily.  But 
I  beg  of  you  to  demand  of  any  informer  specific  facts. 

I  hear  that  complaints  are  made  by  merchants,  apothe 
caries,  booksellers,  and  hotel-men  -  even  Dutchmen 
who  cannot  speak  English  -  damning  us  because  they 
can't  make  any  money  out  of  us. 

I  repeat,  the  young  men  here,  now  fifty-one,  are  gen 
erally  well  behaved,  appear  well-satisfied,  are  with  a 
few  exceptions  progressing  in  their  studies,  and  I  never 
saw  such  manifest  interest  in  the  drill,  we  can  hardly 
keep  them  back.  They  attend  roll  calls  with  great  punc- 


1 3o  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

tuality  and  we  have  no  complaints  of  them  other  than 
would  be  naturally  expected.  They  write  many  letters, 
the  best  kind  of  advertisement,  and  they  can  better 
spread  the  necessary  information  of  the  characteristics 
of  the  school  than  we  could  do  by  advertisements,  circu 
lars,  or  letters. 

I  did  intend  to  send  Bragg  a  copy  of  your  bill,33  but  I 
send  the  copy  herewith  to  you.  Mr.  St.  Ange  will  make 
you  another  copy,  and  if  necessary  you  can  send  this  to 
Bragg.  I  wrote  him  fully.  I  also  wrote  yesterday  to 
Dr.  Smith.  I  still  have  many  letters  of  inquiry;  all  of 
which  I  answer  fully  or  by  sending  an  appointment.  As 
you  say  we  must  jog  along  in  studies  at  this  irregular 
term  till  the  legislature  determine  the  exact  character 
of  this  school  and  until  a  new  working,  practical  Board 
of  Control  is  organized.  I  hope  that  will  be  soon. 

I  have  been  out  fighting  a  fire  which  threatened  a 
fence,  and  now  have  a  tooth-ache,  not  calculated  to 
make  me  cheerful.  Sunday  to  me  instead  of  a  day  of 
rest  is  one  of  dread,  for  fear  of  these  very  disagreeable 
rumors  which  I  cannot  help.  .  . 

[P.S.]  By  the  way  a  Mrs.  C —  brought  a  son  here  a 
few  days  since,  of  proper  age  and  appearance  and  I  re 
ceived  him.  She  said  she  was  in  the  family  of  Mr. 
Chambers,  that  she  did  not  know  the  rules,  etc.,  but  that 
as  soon  as  Mr.  C-  -  got  up  from  New  Orleans,  she 
would  send  me  the  money.  It  is  time  I  should  hear 
from  her.  Do  you  know  of  her?  Can  you  find  out,  as 
I  had  to  act  on  her  bare  words,  she  being  an  utter  stran 
ger.  The  boy  is  a  fine,  bright,  handsome  boy,  though  not 
smart.  I  have  notified  Mrs.  D —  that  she  must  send 
money  for  her  son,  and  that  without  it  I  could  [not] 
procure  for  him  the  uniform,  about  which  they  are  very 
anxious. 

33  A  bill  providing  for  a  more  efficient  organization  of  the  Seminary.  —  ED. 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  131 

Can  you  imagine  where  we  could  get  fifty-five  bayo 
nets  and  scabbards?  There  are  none  in  the  State  Arse 
nal  at  New  Orleans.  The  U.S.  Arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge 
is  under  a  citizen,  else  I  would  make  a  desperate  effort 
there,  promising  to  pay,  unless  I  could  get  an  order 
from  the  Secretary  of  War.  I  would  not  dare  approach 
Mr.  Floyd,  as  Sherman  is  not  a  fair  sounding  name  there 
just  now.  My  aim  is  to  have  fifty-five  muskets  [pri 
vates]  and  five  sergeants  and  corporals,  all  uniformed 
early  in  March. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS  EWING 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  29,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR :  .  .  .  I  perceive  no  signs  of  insubordi 
nation  on  the  part  of  the  cadets.  On  the  contrary  they 
are  well  behaved.  No  person  here  would  think  now  of 
suspecting  me,  though  I  have  made  no  promises  or  ad 
vances.  The  governor  too,  Wickliffe,  in  his  message, 
congratulates  the  people  of  Louisiana  in  having  secured 
so  good  a  faculty,  and  the  new  governor,  Moore,  has  I 
know  expressed  himself  well  pleased  at  all  I  have  done. 

I  have  initiated  the  Seminary,  and  its  details  work  as 
smoothly  as  an  older  college,  and  already  bills  are  intro 
duced  into  the  legislature  to  appropriate  annually  the 
sum  of  $25,000  which  in  addition  to  the  fund  accruing 
at  interest  on  the  proceeds  of  sale  of  U.S.  lands  will 
place  us  in  good  financial  condition.  Also,  it  is  proposed 
to  enlarge  the  number  of  State  cadets  to  forty-eight,  one 
from  each  parish,  and  to  establish  here  a  State  Arsenal. 
If  these  be  done  or  only  in  part  this  Seminary  must  be 
come  an  important  institution.  It  is  furthermore  pro 
posed  to  change  our  title  to  the  Louisiana  Military 
Academy.  The  State  of  Louisiana  is  comparatively 
wealthy,  and  she  is  abundantly  able  to  do  these  things 
handsomely.  .  . 


i32  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

During  the  latter  part  of  January  the  Seminary  authorities 
were  busy  preparing  a  bill  for  the  reorganization  of  the  institu 
tion,  the  previous  law  having  been  found  defective.  State  Sena 
tor  S.  A.  Smith  was  in  charge  of  the  Seminary  legislation.  Since 
he  disliked  the  military  system  and  favored  the  University  of 
Virginia  organization  it  was  necessary  to  consider  his  views  in 
forming  the  proposed  new  law.  Governor  Wickliffe,  the  out 
going  executive,  was  favorable  to  the  military  system  and  in  his 
message  recommended  that  it  be  fixed  by  law.  The  Board  of 
Supervisors  in  their  annual  report  to  the  legislature  asked  that  the 
title  of  the  institution  be  changed  and  its  military  character  be 
established  by  statute. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Friday  p.m.,  Jan.  20,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  ...  I  enclose  herewith  officially  a 
letter  received  last  night.  You  know  how  difficult  it  is 
to  receive  a  cadet  so  far  into  the  session.  Indeed  one 
class  is  kept  confused  by  those  arriving  now.  We  have 
now  forty-five.  One  great  point  to  be  arranged  in  the 
future  is  to  devise  some  means  whereby  our  classes  will 
all  start  fair.  I  know  fully  that  such  a  thing  is  impos 
sible  this  term,  and  will  receive  all  pay  cadets  come  as 
they  may -but  the  state  cadets  should  be  held  to  a 
stricter  compliance  or  they  are  not  so  welcome.  There 
are  now  eight  state  cadets  now  present. 

This  warm  weather  gives  me  good  time  to  clean  up 
and  I  regret  that  you  cannot  come  out  to  see  us.  I  want 
to  have  the  road  opened,  trees  trimmed,  and  grading 
done  as  far  as  possible  by  the  time  the  trees  begin  to 
leaf.  I  use  only  the  servants  during  the  time  they  are 
not  engaged  in  sweeping  and  carrying  wood.  I  shall  at 
the  end  of  January  pay  Jarreau  and  all  the  professors, 
taking  vouchers.  I  think  I  ought  to  charge  for  my  ser 
vices  in  November  and  December  at  $1,000  a  year  as 
superintendent- little  more  than  Jarreau  received- 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  133 

$83.33  per  month,  waiving  all  claims  to  pay  as  professor 
for  that  time.    Will  you  approve  it? 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  S.  A.  SMITH 

ALEXANDRIA,  Jan.  21,  1860. 

DEAR  DOCTOR:  ...  I  endorse  you,  herewith,  a 
draft  of  an  act  for  making  the  Seminary  a  Military 
Academy  by  law,  and  I  hope  the  reflections  of  your 
mind  will  bring  you  to  the  conclusion  to  support  it.  Look 
at  the  immense  sum,  $1,500,000,  expended  by  the  state 
in  educational  efforts;  and  where  are  the  results?  Not 
a  vestige  of  them  remains  for  any  useful  purpose. 

Look  at  the  youth  of  the  state,  and  the  low  grade  of 
education  pervading  it.  Look  at  the  lethargy  of  the 
parents  in  regard  to  the  education  of  their  sons,  and  the 
reluctance  of  the  sons  to  submit  to  control  or  guidance 
either  at  home  or  at  school.  The  superintendent  told 
me  that  already  a  very  insubordinate  .  .  .  disap 
pointment  is  manifested  by  several  of  the  boys.  The 
Academic  Board  has  no  power  to  punish  in  case  of  any 
difficulty;  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  can 
hardly  be  obtained  before  next  spring.  The  state  must 
lend  the  whole  aid  of  its  power  and  influence  to  enable 
the  institution  to  exercise  a  beneficial  control.  This  can 
only  be  done  by  a  military  government-  this  makes  the 
young  men  themselves  a  part  of  the  power  for  governing 
themselves  that  soon  becomes  attractive  and  works  bet 
ter  than  any  other  system  of  college  government.  But 
the  boys  themselves  will  be  very  quick  to  perceive  the 
difference  between  a  system  established  by  a  gentleman 
and  one  established  by  a  legislature  authorizing  with  the 
little  pomp  and  circumstance  of  military  parade  in 
music,  colors,  etc.  The  people  of  the  state  will  be 
brought  to  take  an  interest  in  it  that  they  never  will  take 
in  any  other  kind  of  school  or  college.  This  I  witnessed 


134  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

at  Lexington,  Va.,  in  July,  1857,  when  six  hundred  peo 
ple,  come  to  witness  the  "commencement"  of  the  Vir 
ginia  Military  Institute,  dined  at  one  of  the  hotels  of 
the  place. 

REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS 
JANUARY,   1860 

.  .  .  The  Board  of  Supervisors  has  adopted  every 
means  in  its  power,  by  the  publication  and  circulation  of 
circulars,  newspaper  articles,  individual  correspon 
dence,  etc.,  to  disseminate  information  in  regard  to  the 
institution,  through  the  State.  .  .  It  will  take  some 
time  to  make  it  generally  known,  but  the  Board  feels 
every  confidence  that  when  the  people  of  the  state  shall 
become  aware  of  the  character  of  the  able,  upright,  en 
lightened,  patriotic,  and  in  every  respect  most  admir 
ably  qualified  corps  of  professors,  which  it  has  had  the 
good  fortune  to  combine  in  an  Academic  Board  for  this 
institution ;  and  with  the  order,  regularity,  method,  neat 
ness,  sobriety,  habits  of  study  ensured  by  the  military 
system  of  government,  any  harshness,  in  which  it  will 
be  the  constant  study  and  aim  of  each  and  every  instruc 
tor  to  temper  with  parental  care  and  kindness ;  that  then 
the  institution  will  be  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity  with 
the  high  spirited  and  emulous  youth  of  the  state.  .  . 

The  Board  from  its  first  organization,  was  deeply  im 
pressed  with  the  necessity,  and  with  an  earnest  anxiety 
to  find  some  means  of  avoiding,  for  this  school,  the  fate 
of  every  other  previous  effort  on  the  part  of  the  State  of 
Louisiana  to  establish  educational  institutions,  in  which 
it  has  expended  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars,  every 
one  of  which  has  ended  in  total  failure.  The  Board  has 
looked  at  all  the  various  systems  of  education  and  of 
school  government,  and  has  come  to  the  almost  unani 
mous  conclusion  that  the  safest  system  for  us  to  adopt, 


BEGINNING  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  135 

and  that  most  likely  to  ensure  success,  is  the  military  sys 
tem  of  government,  combined  with  a  certain  degree  of 
military  instruction,  similar  to  the  State  Military  School 
at  Lexington,  in  the  State  of  Virginia.  .  . 

The  Board  is  of  opinion  that  the  greatest  obstacle  in 
the  way  of  the  success  of  southern  schools  is  found  in  the 
inherent  propensity  of  southern  youth  to  resist  authority 
and  control  from  any  quarter  with  which  they  have  no 
sympathy.  This  difficulty  is  admirably  overcome  by  the 
military  system  in  which  the  young  men  are  themselves 
made  an  essential  element  in  the  governing  power.  But 
to  do  this  effectually,  and  to  give  this  school,  and  this 
experiment  with  it,  a  full  and  fair  trial,  it  is  indispen 
sable  that  the  General  Assembly  should  lend  the  full 
force  and  aid  of  its  influence,  and  the  Board,  therefore, 
earnestly  and  urgently  recommends  to,  and  asks  of  the 
General  Assembly  to  make  this  a  military  school  by  law, 
changing  its  style  and  title  from  the  long  and  inconven 
ient  one  of  "The  Seminary  of  Learning  of  the  State  of 
Louisiana,"  to  the  shorter,  more  convenient,  and  more 
expressive  one  of  "The  Louisiana  Military  Academy," 
assigning  to  the  professors  military  rank  and  title,  as 
in  the  Virginia  school,  where  it  is  found  to  give  them 
a  prestige  and  influence  with  the  young  men  which 
they  could  not  otherwise  enjoy.  In  the  words  of  our 
circular:  .  .  . 

The  military  system  is  not  necessarily  designed  to  make  sol 
diers,  but  it  teaches  subordination  to  the  laws  and  constituted 
authorities  of  the  state;  it  exercises  a  wise  and  wholesome  re 
straint  over  young  men,  at  a  period  of  their  life  when  restraint 
is  necessary  and  proper;  and  also  teaches  them  the  use  of  arms, 
and  the  science  of  organization,  a  knowledge  of  great  importance 
to  every  civilized  government.  Moreover,  it  does  not  withdraw 
their  minds  from  study,  but  affords  them  healthful  exercise 
during  hours  otherwise  devoted  to  listless  or  mischievous  idle 
ness. 


IV.     STUDENT  TROUBLES -SHERMAN 
PLANS  TO  GO  TO  ENGLAND 

Student  troubles  at  the  Seminary.  Sherman  dismisses  the  delinquents. 
Hair  grease  on  Dr.  Vallas's  blackboards.  Parents  approve  Sherman's  disci 
pline.  One  father's  protest.  Graham  explains  the  necessity  for  strict  dis 
cipline.  Why  the  regulations  were  not  printed.  Troubles  subside.  Sherman 
receives  the  offer  of  a  commercial  position  in  London.  His  family  and  rela 
tives  wish  him  to  go.  Graham's  proposition  to  induce  him  to  remain.  The 
legislature  seems  to  be  unfavorable  to  the  Seminary.  Sherman  agrees  to  defer 
until  the  legislature  acts.  Bragg's  account  of  the  legislative  attitude  toward 
the  Seminary.  Sherman  goes  to  Baton  Rouge.  The  Seminary  measures  before 
the  legislature.  Sherman  publicly  expresses  his  views  on  slavery.  He  decides 
to  accept  the  London  offer.  Visits  New  Orleans.  Goes  to  Ohio  on  a  visit. 
Decides  to  remain  in  Louisiana. 

It  was  not  until  the  close  of  the  first  month  that  insubordina 
tion  occurred  among  the  students.  Before  this  the  novelty  of 
school  life  had  occupied  the  attention  of  those  undisciplined 
young  men  who  had  been  sent  to  the  Seminary  as  a  last  resort 
by  their  parents.  The  outbreak  was  unexpected  and  Sherman 
acted  characteristically,  both  in  firmly  suppressing  the  trouble 
and  in  becoming  discouraged  afterward.  The  correspondence 
relating  to  one  of  the  cases  discloses  the  state  of  affairs  with 
which  the  authorities  had  to  contend  until  ten  or  twelve  of  the 
insubordinate  students  were  expelled. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  Jan.  30,  1860. 
SIR :    A  case  has  this  day  arisen  requiring  my  prompt 
action  under  the  paragraph  of  regulations  quoted  be 
low: 

"In  extraordinary  cases  of  resistance  to  authority,  calling  for 
immediate  action,  the  superintendent  may  adopt  the  measures 
necessary  to  maintain  order  and  good  discipline,  but  in  all  such 
cases  he  shall  forthwith  submit  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  his 
report  in  writing  of  all  the  facts  and  reasons  for  his  action." 


138  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Cadet  D.  F.  H — h  was  reported  to  the  commandant 
of  cadets,  by  Cadet  S.  M.  H — s,  acting  as  sergeant  for 
some  delinquency.  He  made  an  excuse  in  writing, 
which  the  commandant  of  cadets  referred  to  Mr.  H — s 
for  explanation.  Just  before  drill  this  p.m.,  Mr.  H — s 
spoke  to  Cadet  H — h  about  the  excuse;  some  words 
passed  resulting  in  Mr.  H — s  using  the  word  "lie." 
H — h  retorted  the  same  when  H — s  struck.  H — h  then 
went  to  his  room  and  returned  with  a  dirk  knife,  and 
renewed  the  altercation  with  the  knife  open,  and  threat 
ening  to  use  it.  I  have  the  knife  and  it  is  of  the  bowie 
knife  pattern. 

Mr.  Smith  happening  to  be  near,  interfered  and 
caused  Mr.  H — h  to  go  to  his  room  and  remain  there 
during  drill.  At  the  moment  I  was  showing  some  visi 
tors  through  the  building.  As  soon  as  the  matter  was 
reported  to  me,  I  forthwith  informed  Mr.  H — h  that 
no  possible  cause  or  provocation  could  justify  or  palliate 
the  use  or  display  by  a  member  of  this  Seminary  of  a 
deadly  weapon:  and  that  he  must  leave.  I  made  an 
order  to  that  effect,  and  although  I  told  him  he  could 
remain  till  morning,  still  he  preferred  to  leave  to-day. 

I  will  to-morrow  cause  the  whole  truth  to  be  deter 
mined  and  recorded,  and  if  Mr.  H — s  is  to  blame,  he 
too  must  be  punished  according  to  the  degree  of  offence. 
The  word  "lie"  must  never  be  used  here,  with  impunity, 
but  I  assert  the  broad  principle,  that  no  word,  or  even 
blow  must  for  a  moment  give  a  pretext  for  the  use  of  a 
deadly  weapon. 

ORDER  OF  DISMISSAL 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  January  30,  1860. 
ORDER  No.  9.    Cadet  D.  T.  H — h,  having  in  an  angry 
controversy  with  another  cadet  drawn  a  dirk  or  a  bowie 
knife,  is  hereby  summarily  dismissed. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  139 

The  superintendent  in  this  connection  does  not  deem 
it  necessary  to  look  to  the  provocation.  Here  no  possible 
provocation  can  justify  such  an  act. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN,  Superintendent. 

JNO.  W.  SEVIER,  ADJ.  S.S.L. 

AN  ACADEMIC  COURT  MARTIAL 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  January  31,  1860. 
ORDER  No.  10.  Professors  Vallas,  Smith,  and  St. 
Ange  will  assemble  at  the  office  at  3  p.m.,  this  day,  and 
examine  into  all  the  facts  of  the  altercation  between  Ca 
dets  S.  W.  H— s  and  D.  T.  H— h,  between  the  hours  of 
4  p.m.  and  the  drill  call  of  yesterday,  and  will  report  the 
same  as  soon  as  concluded,  with  a  synopsis  of  the  testi 
mony  elicited.  The  Board  will  question  witnesses,  who 
are  bound  by  the  obligations  of  honor,  and  good  faith 
to  reveal  without  prejudice  or  favor  the  whole  truth. 

2.  During  the  pending  of  this  inquiry,  Cadet  S.  M. 
H — s  will  be  suspended  from  the  duties  of  acting  order 
ly  sergeant,  and  the  commandant  of  cadets  will  name 
some  other  cadet  to  call  the  rolls. 

3.  The  Board,  if  necessary  will  adjourn  from  time  to 
time  to  such  hours  as  will  not  materially  interfere  with 
the  academic  exercises. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN,  Superintendent. 
JNO.  W.  SEVIER,  ADJ.  S.S.L. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  ALEXANDRIA,  Feb.  2,  1860. 

SIR  :  I  enclose  you  herewith  the  original  proceedings 
of  a  Board  assembled  by  my  order  to  examine  and  ascer 
tain  the  truth  touching  the  affair  between  Cadets  H — s 
and  H — h.  To  hesitate  one  moment  in  showing  the 
judgment  of  the  institution  on  the  great  criminality  of 
actually  brandishing  and  threatening  to  use  a  keen  dag- 


140  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

ger,  would  in  my  judgment  endanger  the  actual  exist 
ence  of  our  authority.  Therefore  I  dismissed  Mr. 
H — h  forthwith,  and  after  awaiting  a  day  or  so  will 
make  up  his  accounts  and  return  to  his  parents  the  bal 
ance  of  cash  due  him  and  hold  his  books  and  private 
property  subject  to  his  order. 

In  the  case  of  S.  M.  H— s  there  was  not  the  same  rea 
son  for  the  assumption  of  power  on  my  part :  but  there  is 
no  less  a  necessity  that  even  handed  justice  be  done.  By 
the  testimony,  Mr.  H — s  did  first  address  H — h,  did 
first  use  the  word  "lie,"  which  is  among  all  boys  deemed 
a  fighting  insult,  and  moreover  H — s  did  strike  the  first 
blow.  He  was  in  a  position  of  trust  and  authority.  He 
is  full  grown,  larger  that  H — h,  has  been  at  the  Military 
School  at  Nashville  and  was  every  way  supposed  to  be 
a  leader  from  age,  qualifications,  and  experience. 

I  therefore  think  there  are  no  palliating  circum 
stances  and  on  the  rule  that  he  caused  the  blind  anger 
that  made  H — h  resort  to  a  [weapon],  he  too  should 
suffer  the  penalty,  the  same  as  H — h.  And  be  dismissed 
firmly,  mildly,  but  without  recall. 

With  two  such  prominent  examples  we  shall  never 
again  I  hope  hear  the  lie,  or  have  the  life  or  safety  of  a 
cadet  in  danger  from  a  pistol  or  knife. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Feb.  3,  1860. 

I  am  half  sick  to-night-  have  had  the  trouble  that  I 
anticipated  with  these  boys.  Some  of  them  are  very 
good  but  some  are  ill  bred  and  utterly  without  discipline. 
A  few  nights  since  one  cadet  reported  another -it  re 
sulted  in  mutual  accusations,  the  lie,  blow,  and  finally 
the  knife  -  fortunately  it  was  not  used.  I  dismissed  the 
one  with  the  knife  instanter- the  other  after  examina 
tion  I  thought  equally  to  blame  for  first  giving  the  lie. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  141 

Yesterday  the  friends  of  all  parties  came  and  after  mak 
ing  all  sorts  of  apologies  I  had  to  listen.  Fortunately 
both  were  fine  young  men  and  no  doubt  the  affair  was 
one  of  passion  and  of  sudden  broil. 

It  is  against  the  rules  for  cadets  to  use  tobacco  -  but 
we  know  that  they  do  use  it,  but  this  morning  one  did 
it  so  openly  that  I  supposed  he  did  it  in  defiance.  I 
went  to  his  room  to  see  him  but  he  was  out  and  in  the 
drawer  of  his  washstand  I  found  plenty  of  tobacco.  I, 
of  course,  emptied  it  into  the  fireplace.  Soon  after  the 
young  gentleman  named  C — d  came  to  me,  evidently  in 
stigated  by  others  and  complained  of  ill  treatment  and 
soon  complained  of  my  opening  his  drawer,  intimating 
that  it  was  a  breach  of  propriety.  Of  course  I  soon  ad 
vised  him  that  his  concealment  and  breach  of  regula 
tions  well  known  to  him  was  the  breach  of  honor.  He 
said  he  would  not  stay  and  after  some  preliminaries  I 
shipped  him.  Another  came  with  a  similar  complaint 
and  I  sent  him  off  and  then  the  matter  ended.  These 
two  last  w7ere  dull  at  books  and  noisy  quarrelsome  fel 
lows  and  a  good  riddance.  We  had  fifty-three  now  fifty- 
one. 

We  have  refused  to  receive  many  after  the  first  in 
stant  and  I  have  now  an  application  from  thirty  in  one 
school,  but  we  think  it  best  now  to  await  the  action  of 
the  legislature  to  ascertain  what  they  propose  to  do  for 
us  and  I  also  think  it  best  to  prepare  some  forty  steady 
young  men  as  a  nucleus  on  which  to  build  the  hereafter. 

The  weather  has  been  very  fine  for  the  past  ten  days  - 
except  one  frosty  day.  It  is  now  pretty  warm  and  the 
grass  and  trees  begin  to  indicate  spring- gardens  are 
being  fixed  for  vegetables  -  here  the  land  is  too  poor, 
and  yet  there  are  fine  orchards  of  apples,  pear,  plum, 
peach,  and  fig.  All  say  they  have  abundance  of  figs  and 


i42  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

peaches  and  they  also  boast  of  pears  and  plums.    Apples 
and  cherries  not  so  well.     .     . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  February  6,  1860. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  enclose  your  two 
papers,  being  the  resignation  of  Cadets  S.  M.  H — s, 
A.  P.  W— s,  and  state  cadet  R.  A.  W— 1. 

As  these  persons  have  all  left  the  Seminary  without 
leave,  or  authority  and  in  a  spirit  of  defiance,  I  shall  re 
port  them  tomorrow  as  "deserted,"  and  give  their  par 
ents  a  statement  of  their  accounts,  with  an  outline  of  the 
facts  attending  their  departure. 

Cadet  S.  M.  H — s  is  the  person  first  installed  as  act 
ing  first  sergeant.  Whilst  in  that  capacity  I  reproved 
him  for  using  his  office  to  expose  a  young  gentleman  just 
arrived  as  a  sentinel  with  a  broom  stick  on  one  of  the 
gallaries.  Again  he  was  the  party  who  first  began  the 
affray  with  Cadet  H — h,  for  which  he  was  deprived  of 
his  office.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  careless,  absent 
ing  himself  from  roll  call,  etc.  And  this  morning  in 
connection  with  Cadet  W — s  he  handed  me  the  enclosed 
resignation  which  I  told  him  should  be  forthwith  trans 
mitted  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  told  me  he 
should  not  wait  for  their  action  but  was  going  off,  as  he 
did  not  like  the  way  things  were  managed  generally.  I 
informed  him  he  had  a  perfect  right  to  complain,  and  if 
in  writing  I  would  forward  his  complaint- but  that  he 
would  not  do.  And  without  further  ado  he  has  gone. 

W — s's  case  is  somewhat  similar  except  in  this  -  last 
week  he  was  reported  by  Professor  Boyd  for  singing  in 
a  loud  voice  from  one  of  the  upper  windows  in  a  tone 
which  enabled  Professor  Boyd  on  the  ground  to  dis 
tinguish  the  words,  "a  Blackguard  Song."  For  this,  I 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  143 

reproved  him.  And  yesterday,  Sunday,  he  asked  leave 
to  go  and  see  his  mother.  I  refused  him  permission,  and 
told  him  why. 

Many  of  the  cadets  have  recently  made  urgent  appli 
cations  to  me  for  spending  money.  I  always  must  know 
to  what  purpose  it  is  applied.  And  have  in  most  in 
stances  refused,  because  of  the  quantity  of  tobacco  used, 
fouling  our  galleries  and  rooms  to  a  filthy  extent.  I  will 
not  be  privy  to  the  purchase  of  forbidden  articles. 

On  Saturday  a  state  cadet,  W — 1,  applied  for  money. 
I  asked  him  what  for  -  he  answered  the  "Dentist."  I 
then  gave  him  a  written  order  on  a  dentist  in  Alexandria 
to  properly  fix  his  teeth.  After  some  time  he  returned 
complaining  that  that  was  no  way  to  treat  a  gentleman. 
On  Sunday,  yesterday,  he  again  made  application  or 
rather  a  formal  complaint.  In  the  interview  I  even  ex 
plained  my  reasons,  but  he  was  evidently  pushed  for 
ward  by  others,  for  he  seemed  to  feel  that  he  was  wrong, 
but  this  morning  he  again  applied  to  go  to  town  to  the 
dentist  asking  for  the  first  time  a  specific  sum  of  five 
dollars. 

I  then  told  him  that  I  would  send  in  for  the  dentist 
and  for  him  to  be  ready  at  1 1  a.m.  -  this  too  puzzled 
him.  He  wanted  money,  for  some  specific  purpose  but 
not  for  the  dentist,  for  he  came  again  and  said  I  need 
not  send  for  the  dentist.  He  openly  boasted  of  the 
wealth  of  his  parents  and  connections  leaving  on  my 
mind  an  inference  I  need  not  express,  as  he  is  entered  as 
of  indigent  parents.  He  too  has  gone.  And  I  will  add 
that  the  Seminary  is  no  loser  in  any  who  has  gone. 

We  have  fifty  left,  one  or  two  more  may  renew  their 
vain  struggle  to  do  as  they  please,  but  I  have  no  appre 
hensions  of  more  than  two.  If  any  cadet  absent  himself 
stubbornly,  and  with  avowed  purpose  from  his  recita- 


144  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

tions  and  roll  call,  I  will  dismiss  him  summarily.  If 
they  resign  I  will  refer  their  resignations.  But  if  they 
leave  without  awaiting  the  answer  of  the  Board,  they 
must  stand  of  record  "deserted." 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Feb.  8,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL,  ...  It  is  all  moonshine  about 
twenty  or  thirty  leaving.  H — s  and  W — s  flattered 
themselves  as  being  leaders  and  that  their  influence 
would  be  fatal  to  us.  We  have  not  lost  a  drill,  a  recita 
tion,  and  have  all  slept  more  comfortably  since.  Indeed 
had  I  yielded  one  jot  last  Sunday  and  Monday,  farewell 
to  government,  cadets,  not  professors  would  have  ruled. 
I  believe  all  now  see  their  mistake.  W — s  and  H — s 
thought  we  could  not  do  without  them.  The  new  Order 
ly  Sergeant  Cushman  is  a  better  soldier  than  either  to 
day. 

The  affair  of  H — h  was  thus :  last  Saturday  at  supper, 
we  heard  too  much  noise  at  the  table.  Mr.  Smith 
stepped  to  the  door  and  whilst  there  H — s,  the  younger, 
the  one  now  here  made  some  offensive  remark  -  he  was 
the  head  of  one  table ;  S.  M.  H — s,  the  elder,  the  head  of 
another;  Mr.  Smith  at  once  removed  H — s  from  his 
place,  and  allowed  H — h  who  sat  next  to  him  to  act  as 
carver  temporarily. 

He  is  no  longer  carver,  was  changed  as  soon  as  this  in 
ference  was  noticed  -  the  boy  only  acted  as  marcher 
from  the  porch  to  the  table  -  he  had  no  authority,  but 
even  that  was  temporary.  Of  course  I  had  nothing  to  do 
with  this.  It  fell  exceedingly  under  Mr.  Smith,  and  was 
accidental.  The  elder  H — s  was  not  spoken  to,  in  no 
wise  concerned,  and  sat  as  the  carver  at  the  head  of  his 
table  up  to  the  time  of  his  departure.  Therefore  no 
distinction  was  made  between  them -both  on  the  same 


STUDENT  TROUBLES 145 

footing.  I  understand  he  is  over  at  Mrs.  W — s.  I  en 
close  a  note  I  got  from  her  yesterday.  She  understands 
the  point.  The  whole  truth  is  this:  both  H — s  and 
W — s  presumed  on  their  importance  and  feeling  others 
creeping  up  to  and  past  them  thought  to  soften  their 
certain  downfall. 

I  enclose  to  Bragg  to-day  your  bill  (a  copy  thereof) 
and  wrote  him  to  favor  Wickliffe's  bill.  Let  any  one 
who  finds  fault  with  the  removal  of  obstreperous  apply 
to  Bragg-  he  understands  the  case. 

Yesterday  morning  all  the  blackboards  and  chairs  in 
Dr.  Vallas's  section  room  were  bedaubed  with  hair 
grease.  It  took  the  drummer  and  two  black  boys  all  day 
to  clean  it  off  with  hot  soap  suds ;  but  I  got  a  thread,  un 
ravelled  it  and  found  the  party  to  blame.  He  insisted 
he  did  not  do  it  and  as  the  proof  was  not  conclusive,  I 
told  him  he  should  be  charged  the  expense  of  cleaning 
and  repainting,  which  he  consented  to  do.  I  cannot  now 
overlook  anything. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  February  10,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  received  your  note  yesterday,  and 
feel  sorry  that  you  are  troubled  by  the  condition  of  af 
fairs  now.  All  things  are  working  here  smoothly.  All 
appearance  of  dissatisfaction  has  disappeared  and  reci 
tations  and  drills  have  not  been  interrupted  one  moment. 
Parents  too  have  responded  so  manfully  that  the  cadets 
see  their  mistake  -  their  complaints  of  tyranny  and  treat 
ment  like  negroes  are  ridiculed  by  their  parents. 

I  had  a  very  long  interview  with  Mr.  H — s  and 
Judge  C — 1  yesterday.  Showed  them  the  record,  or 
ders,  delinquincies,  and  class  reports  and  Mr.  H — s  ad 
mitted  there  was  not  a  break  in  the  chain  and  that  I 
could  not  have  acted  otherwise.  I  had  received  two 


i46  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

letters  for  Cadet  S.  M.  H — s  which  I  handed  his  father. 
He  made  us  read  one  from  him,  which  was  so  proper, 
manly,  and  father-like,  that  I  warmed  to  him  at  once, 
and  felt  deep  sympathy.  Could  I  have  obeyed  my  mere 
feelings  I  would  have  offered  no  obstacle  to  the  return 
of  S.  M.  H — s,  but  I  am  convinced  that  under  the  most 
favorable  circumstances  he  can  never  hold  office  here  or 
occupy  a  position  of  trust  or  confidence,  that  consequent 
ly  he  will  never  be  content  but  prove  a  restless  example, 
that  all  I  can  now  advise  is  that  his  resignation  be  ac 
cepted  by  the  Board  and  the  record  thus  made  clear. 
And  then  he  will  return  home  with  his  father  and  study 
some  new  profession.  The  other  son  is  more  seemingly 
anxious  to  remove  some  of  his  reports,  already  exceed 
ing  fifty  demerits,  and  to  make  an  effort  to  proceed  in 
his  studies.  If  he  do  this  I  will  favor  him  all  possible. 

Mr.  Cushman  whom  we  installed  as  acting  first  ser 
geant  is  intelligent,  manly,  ambitious- very  forward  in 
study,  and  forms  the  company  and  calls  the  roll  better 
than  H — s.  Indeed  there  is  a  palpable  manifest  im 
provement  in  the  tone  here  since  the  entente  horrible. 

Mr.  H — s  yesterday  remarked  unguardedly  that  the 
military  feature  of  this  school  would  soon  be  changed. 
I  expressed  myself  emphatically  that  personally  I  was 
unconcerned  but  that  it  would  be  fatal.  One  hundred 
young  men  in  this  building  under  a  civil  government 
would  tear  down  the  building  and  make  study  impos 
sible.  With  our  frequent  roll  calls,  and  the  other  regu 
lations  it  is  all  we  can  do  to  keep  quiet.  I  think  both 
Mr.  H — s  and  Judge  C — 1  changed  their  opinions 
before  they  left.  Mr.  H — s  did  not  clearly  indicate  his 
line  of  conduct  but  said  he  would  be  out  again.  I  cannot 
again  receive  H — s  under  his  old  appointment,  unless  by 
a  formal  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  which 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  147 

to  me  would  be  an  order.  I  have  no  objection  to  his  in 
formal  resignation.  I  am  sorry  I  allowed  P — n  and 
C — d  to  resign  -  but  I  then  thought  it  safest  -  and  least 
liable  to  abuse. 

I  have  just  received  yours  of  to-day  and  will  make  up 
an  abstract  of  T — r's  recitations  -  he  has  been  reported 
to  me  several  times  for  neglect  of  studies.  If  anybody 
has  spoken  an  unkind  word  to  him  I  know  it  not.  This 
general  mode  of  complaint  is  not  worthy  of  notice.  Mr. 
T — r  will  be  most  welcome  here,  and  a  visit  might  bene 
fit  the  son. 

The  firm  stand  of  the  authorities  in  dealing  with  the  student 
outbreak  and  the  dissatisfaction  of  some  of  the  remaining  students 
with  the  rigid  military  system  which  exacted  of  them  unaccus 
tomed  obedience  caused  protests  from  certain  parents  fearful  for 
the  liberties  of  their  sons.  A  typical  case  is  here  illustrated. 

P.  T— R  TO  GENERAL  GRAHAM 

CHENEYVILLE,  LA.,  Feb.  9,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  induced  to  address  you  in  reference 
to  the  officers  of  the  State  Seminary  from  the  promi 
nent  position  you  occupy  and  have  occupied  as  the  most 
persevering  and  untiring  friend  of  that  institution.  I 
believe  it  to  be  the  last  best  hope  of  Louisiana's  sons. 
Therefore  its  interests  are  mine  and  every  other  citizen's. 

Will  our  sons  submit  to  the  arbitrary  commands  of 
dictators  or  shall  the  officers  be  governed  by  the  laws  of 
the  institution?  If  the  Board  of  Trustees  enact  and  en 
force  a  code  of  laws  which  regulates  the  conduct  of  offi 
cers  and  students  good  may  be  effected;  but  I  fear  the 
effects  of  stringent  personal  command.  I  am  aware  that 
boys  are  hard  to  be  pleased  or  governed  and  especially 
if  they  suppose  the  government  to  originate  in  the  mere 
will  of  the  superior. 

I  hope  the  Board  of  Directors  will  speedily  enact  a 


148  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

code  and  publish  it  to  the  students.  I  depend  particu 
larly  upon  General  Graham  for  the  future  usefulness  of 
that  institution  and  hope  he  will  make  immediate  in 
quiries  into  the  condition  and  government  of  the  insti 
tution. 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  P.  T— R 

TYRONE  PLANTATION,  February  10, 1860. 

DEAR  SIR  :  .  .  .  I  understand  the  subject  of  your 
letter  to  be  that  the  cadets  at  the  State  Seminary  are 
spoken  to  by  the  officers  of  the  institution  in  too  authori 
tative  a  manner,  and  that  their  commands  are  sometimes 
"arbitrary."  If  you  will  spend  a  day  at  the  Seminary  I 
think  you  will  understand  the  better.  There  everything 
must  move  by  the  clock  and  to  the  minute.  This  requires 
quick  motion  on  the  part  of  every  one  (to  which,  as  you 
doubtless  know,  our  boys  are  but  little  accustomed  -  ex 
cept,  indeed,  when  they  are  after  mischief,  and  then  they 
are  rather  too  quick)  ;  hence  the  quick,  authoritative, 
decided  tone  of  voice  necessarily  assumed  by  military 
men.  This  at  first,  and  for  some  time,  grates  harshly  on 
the  ears  and  feelings  of  boys  who  have  been  accustomed 
to  home  tones  and  to  take  as  long  time  as  they  pleased  to 
do  a  thing,  or  to  go  to  a  place  that  they  haven't  much 
fancy  for,  and  it  is  natural  enough  therefore  that  he 
should  be,  even  unduly,  sensitive  under  it. 

It  is  for  us  at  home,  parents  and  citizens,  to  guard  our 
selves  that  we  do  not  suffer  the  reflection  of  this  sensi 
tiveness  to  exercise  an  undue  influence  on  our  feelings. 
I  think  that  some  gentlemen  have  sent  chronic  cases  to 
this  institution  as  their  last  hope  for  a  cure,  but  we  do 
not  intend  to  keep  that  kind  of  a  hospital.  Before  we 
have  been  able  to  get  rid  of  them,  however,  they  have 
sown  some  bad  seed,  which  will  take  a  little  time,  care, 
and  patience  all  round,  to  eradicate. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  149 

As  to  the  regulations,  for  the  government  of  all  con 
nected  with  the  institution,  they  were  prepared  with 
much  care  and  labor  about  the  middle  of  November  by 
a  Board  convened  for  the  purpose  by  an  order  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  at  a  meeting  in  August  last,  and 
composed  of  three  members  of  this  Board  and  the  mem 
bers  of  the  Academic  Board.  That  they  were  not  pub 
lished  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  each  as  was  intended  to 
have  been  done,  was  no  fault  of  any  member  of  the  insti 
tution  or  myself,  but  arose  from  the  [illegible],  though 
doubtless  well-intentioned,  assumption  of  authority  on 
the  part  of  an  individual  member,  in  whose  hands  the 
manuscript  had  been  placed  for  preservation,  but 
[who],  when  called  for  it  by  the  superintendent  at  the 
moment  of  his  departure  for  New  Orleans,  to  take  with 
him  to  be  printed,  refused  to  give  it  up  for  that  purpose, 
on  the  ground  that  they  had  not  been  submitted  to  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  although  that  Board  had  ad 
journed  from  August  to  next  May,  having  ordered  the 
institution  to  be  opened  on  the  first  Monday  in  January, 
and  the  regulations  to  be  prepared  for  its  government. 

In  this  dilemma,  I  directed  the  superintendent  to  have 
such  portions  as  related  to  the  duties,  studies,  division 
of  time,  and  deportment  of  cadets,  copied  in  writing  and 
placed  on  order  boards  in  the  hall  where  all  could  see, 
read,  and  copy  them. 

That  the  professors  should  not  sometimes  be  irritated 
at  the  unaccountable  tricks  of  the  boys,  would  be  expect 
ing  too  much  of  even  professors'  nature.  As  an  ex 
ample  a  morning  or  two  since,  when  the  professor  of 
mathematics  met  his  class,  he  found  his  own  chair  and 
all  of  his  blackboard  thickly  smeared  with  hair-grease, 
which  it  took  the  only  two  servants  the  institution  is 
able  to  afford,  near  half  a  day  to  cleanse  them  of,  and 


150  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

then  they  had  to  be  repainted.  The  only  punishment  the 
superintendent  imposed  on  the  offender,  who  was 
brought  to  taw,  was  to  make  him  pay  the  expense  of 
cleansing  and  repainting. 

The  cadets  are  allowed,  and  encouraged,  to  go  to 
church  on  Sabbath  day.  A  list  is  taken  of  those  desiring 
to  go,  and  they  are  placed  under  the  charge  of  the  most 
responsible  cadet  of  the  squad.  In  two  instances  citizens 
of  Alexandria  reported  to  me  that  some  of  them  were 
seen  in  grogshops.  In  the  first  instance  I  apprised  the 
superintendent,  in  the  second  I  wrote  him  a  letter  de 
signed  for  effect  on  the  young  men.  To  show  you  the 
character  of  the  man  it  has  been  our  real  good  fortune 
to  obtain  the  services  of  for  this  position,  I  enclose  you 
his  reply-  and  have  no  objection,  to  your  showing  it  to 
some  of  your  friends,  although  it  is  written  with  the  un 
reserve  of  private  correspondence.34  .  .  .  Whilst 
he  will  require  them  to  discharge  their  duties,  one  alike 
to  themselves,  their  family,  and  their  institution,  he  is 
loath  to  believe  ill  of  them,  and  I  stand  up  in  their  de 
fense. 

It  can  hardly  be  expected  that  everything  will  work 
smooth  at  the  [beginning]  in  such  an  institution  as  this. 
Time,  patience,  care,  and  forethought  is  -  to  use  a  surgi 
cal  term -the  "lubricating  fluid"  [illegible],  and  then 
it  will  be  a  gallant  ship  entering  on  an  open  sea  of  suc 
cess  after  having  surmounted  the  shoals  and  quicksands 
of  navigation. 

A  great  help  to  this  will  be  in  home-folk  impression- 
ing  the  conviction  that  "there  is  no  other  name  known 
unto  men,  whereby  he  can"  get  creditably  through  this 
institution,  but  order  and  industry.  .  . 

34  See  pages   128-129.  -  ED. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  151 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

Saturday,  Feb.  10,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  Mr.  Smith  goes  to  visit  you  to-day. 
St.  Ange  is  sick,  and  I  am  ordered  by  a  higher  power 
than  our  tyrannical  military  dictator  to  teach  Spanish  - 
I  mean  by  tyrant  necessity.  Well  I  can  give  them  the 
true  "greaser"  pronunciation  which  is  the  Spanish  they 
will  use  in  after  life  as  we  ride  over  and  trample  down 
that  vestige  of  a  once  brave  and  noble  people  that  stands 
in  the  way  of  our  boasted  civil  progress. 

Every  time  I  think  of  Mr.  T — r's  letter  I  feel  inclined 
to  laugh.  The  idea  of  T — r's  being  oppressed  is  too 
good.  Last  evening  after  drill  I  could  not  resist  the 
temptation  to  call  him  to  me,  and  ask  him  who  had  op 
pressed  him  here.  He  said  Mr.  Boyd.  What  had  Mr. 
Boyd  done?  Why  one  boy  tied  a  pig's-tail  to  another 
boy's  coat,  as  they  were  marching  into  their  recitation 
room,  and  he  was  so  convulsed  with  laughter  thereat 
that  Mr.  Boyd  ordered  him  to  quit  the  section-room. 

That  was  the  tyranny,  and  that  was  all,  the  precision 
of  time,  the  fine  course  of  study  spread  before  them,  the 
regular  and  good  supplies  of  food,  clothing,  lights,  etc., 
everything  that  any  gentleman's  son  could  expect  are 
nothing;  but  because  T — r  was  ordered  to  quit  the  sec 
tion  room  very  properly  by  his  professor,  he  must  tell  a 
cock  and  bull  story  to  his  father  and  he  must  undermine 
the  authority  of  gentlemen  whom  he  has  never  seen. 
There  is  the  radical  cause  of  the  destruction  of  every 
educational  establishment  in  Louisiana.  Parents  while 
they  boast  of  the  hardships  they  overcame  in  early  life 
and  admire  the  brave  and  noble  deeds  of  the  past,  are 
willing  to  listen  to  and  extend  the  whims  of  their  boys, 
who  have  nobody  to  wash  their  faces  and  comb  their 
hair  in  the  morning. 


152  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Indeed  are  you  the  rock,  alone  on  which  can  be  built 
any  structure  in  Louisiana,  with  any  chance  of  stability. 
I  say  this  in  no  spirit  of  flattery,  and  I  deeply,  painfully 
regret  that  you  are  afflicted  both  in  your  eyes  and  the  un 
ceasing  calls  on  your  time  and  patience.  I  ought  from 
this  cause  alone  to  abstain  from  boring  you  with  long 
letters,  in  so  rapid  and  illegible  a  hand. 

I  have  read  your  letters  to  Mr.  T — r,  to  Mr.  Smith, 
and  to  Mr.  Boyd  and  we  could  not  help  laughing  at 
T — r's  complaint. 

[P.S.]  St.  Ange  is  in  no  serious  danger.  We  have 
had  some  pretty  bad  dinners,  but  the  day  before  yester 
day  it  came  to  a  crisis  and  brought  St.  Ange  to  death  or 
rather  his  injective  apparatus.  The  rest  of  us  bear  with 
patience  Jarreau's  prolonged  absence,  and  the  want  of 
foresight  and  preparation  that  must  not  be  -  for  the  first 
time  yesterday  the  report  came  in  of  a  scarcity  of  meat 
on  the  cadet's  tables  which  I  must  notice. 

Early  in  February,  1860,  the  commercial  concern  which  had 
already  made  Sherman  an  offer  to  act  as  its  representative  in  Lon 
don  sent  an  agent  to  Louisiana  to  renew  the  offer  and  to  urge  its 
acceptance.  The  correspondence  shows  that  Sherman,  owing  to 
disturbed  political  conditions,  to  the  opposition  directed  against 
the  military  system,  and  to  the  uncertainty  about  a  legislative 
appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Seminary,  was  disposed  to 
accept  the  position.  But  the  offer  afforded  an  opportunity  for 
those  in  authority  to  convince  him  that  he  was  appreciated  in 
Louisiana. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Feb.  8th,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  As  to-morrow  is  mail  day  I  will 
begin  now  to  make  up  a  budget  for  you ;  first  your  letter 
from  Dr.  Smith  is  returned  and  along  with  it  I  send  an 
other  of  later  date,  more  pointed,  showing  a  weakening 
on  the  subject  of  the  Seminary.  I  was  sorry  to  see  this, 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  153 

for,  as  Governor  Wickliffe  had  broken  the  ice,  I  thought 
his  friends  and  Governor  Moore's  united  would  settle  it 
without  contest.  I  enclose  my  answer  for  your  perusal 
asking  you  to  seal  and  forward  by  the  succeeding  mail. 

I  am  now  in  possession  of  certain  facts  that  may  affect 
me.  You  know  that  a  certain  commercial  company 
offered  me  a  certain  salary  to  go  to  London  and  I  was 
actually  in  correspondence  with  them  when  advised  I 
had  been  elected  to  this  post.  The  first  overtures  came 
to  me  at  Leavenworth  after  I  wrote  my  application  to 
the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

Upon  notice  of  my  election  to  this  I  notified  those 
parties  that  I  preferred  the  certainty  and  stability  of  this 
to  their  project.  Time  has  passed  on.  Their  prepara 
tions  are  all  made,  and  certain  of  their  European  co 
partners  having  committed  themselves  on  condition  that 
I  should  be,  in  London,  the  depository  of  their  bonds 
and  securities  have  renewed  their  efforts,  and  on  Janu 
ary  ninth  held  a  meeting  in  Cincinnati,  during  which 
they  agreed  to  guarantee  and  secure  to  me  fifteen  thou 
sand  dollars  for  two  years'  service,  salary  to  begin  on  my 
acceptance  and  a  certain  amount  three  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars,  to  be  subject  to  my  draft  now  -  and 
furthermore  they  appointed  one  Wm.  F.  R — n  to  pro 
ceed  to  this  place,  to  confer  with  me  and  contract  with 
me  on  the  above  basis.  R — n  writes  me  under  date  of 
January  17  that  he  starts  from  Cincinnati  the  next  day 
for  New  York- whence  he  will  come  to  New  Orleans 
and  Alexandria,  prepared  to  develop  to  me  the  plan 
and  details,  to  be  here  between  the  fifth  and  tenth  of 
February.  I  expect  him  daily. 

Mr.  Ewing,  Mrs.  Sherman's  father,  writes  me  urgent 
ly  to  go,  and  even  Mrs.  Sherman  prefers  it  to  coming 
South  with  our  children.  Still  I  mistrust  all  financial 
schemes.  Just  seven  years  ago  I  was  similarly  situated 


154  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

in  New  Orleans,  commissary  U.S.  army,  when  Mr.  Lu 
cas  and  Henry  Turner,  two  as  fine  gentlemen  as  ever 
lived,  came  and  prevailed  on  me  to  go  to  California  as 
banker  with  prospects  more  brilliant  than  those  now  of 
fered  me.  I  went  and  without  any  fault,  negligence,  or 
want  of  ability  I  was  involved  by  the  losses  of  others; 
so  that  I  am  mistrustful  of  finance  and  financiers. 

I  think  if  this  were  a  state  seminary  with  the  stability 
of  one  I  would  stand  by  it,  but  if  it  is  to  struggle  alway, 
dependent  on  the  whims  and  caprices  of  boys,  unaided, 
even  burdened  by  the  state  by  an  unjust  tax  (the  support 
of  sixteen)  ,85  and  as  subject  to  accident  as  any  other  pri 
vate  scheme,  I  would  do  myself  and  family  an  injustice 
to  prefer  this  to  the  other  -  for  by  the  other  I  am  certain 
of  $15,000  for  two  years  -  of  which  I  would  save  a  large 
fraction,  whereas  here  all  I  would  look  for  would  be  an 
honorable  position,  and  pleasant  future  for  my  family 
and  children. 

Mr.  Ewing  in  urging  me  to  accept  this  project,  did  so, 
on  an  inference  that  because  John  Sherman  had  made  a 
mistake  I  might  be  suspected  here,  my  position  weak 
ened,  and  the  cadets  rendered  thereby  insubordinate, 
and  he  further  advised  me  to  decline  to  receive  any  com 
pensation  for  the  past,  as  my  leaving  might  subject  me 
to  the  imputation  of  an  unfulfilled  contract.  I  have 
written  him  and  all  my  northern  friends,  that  no  gentle 
man  here  has  spoken  one  unkind  or  disrespectful  word 
of  John  Sherman,  but  on  the  contrary  that  I  thought 
John's  carelessness  in  allowing  his  name  to  be  used  for 
a  purpose  as  foreign  to  his  mind  and  heart,  as  of  yours, 
deserved  failure.  He  is  young,  ambitious,  and  let  him 
be  more  circumspect  in  future. 

In  like  manner,  though  the  boys  here  last  week  were 

35  Beneficiary  cadets.  —  ED. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES 155 

insubordinate,  that  too  cannot  be  attributed  to  any  idea 
of  theirs  that  they  can  displace  me.  Every  professor 
here  will  bear  testimony  that  the  dismissals  thus  far 
were  absolutely  necessary,  and  has  resulted  well. 

Dr.  Smith's  letter  is  the  first  positive  event  that  has 
shaken  me,  and  made  me  seriously  think  of  R — n.  I  will 
not  say  one  word  more  till  he  come,  except,  that  then  I 
must  act  accordingly  to  my  convictions.  Only  I  promise 
to  give  full  time  for  a  successor  and  to  do  everything  in 
the  premises  a  gentleman  should.  .  . 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  GOVERNOR  THOMAS  O. 

MOORE 

TYRONE  PLANTATION,  February  9,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  Although  well  aware  of  all  the 
troubles,  perplexities,  worriments  and  annoyances  to 
which  your  new  career  of  executive  life  subjects  you  in 
its  outset,  yet  here  is  a  matter,  which  with  all  my  repug 
nance  to  be  obtrusive,  my  sense  of  everything  that  is 
right  will  not  allow  me  to  refrain  from  inflicting  on  you. 

You  will  see  from  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  re 
ceived  last  night,  with  some  official  communications 
from  Major  Sherman,  and  which  I  have  risen  at  five 
o'clock  this  morning  to  copy,  that  we  are  in  imminent 
danger  of  losing  our  irreplacable  superintendent,  the 
apprehension  of  which  has  kept  me  awake  for  more  than 
half  the  night. 

Although  coming  to  me  under  the  injunction  implied 
by  the  mark  "confidential,"  I  have  felt  that  a  higher  duty 
required  that  I  should  communicate  it  to  you  in  both  of 
your  official  capacities,  saying  to  you  at  the  same  time 
that  I  have  no  objection  to  your  using  it  with  the  same 
discreet  confidence  among  those  you  may  desire  to  con 
fer  with.  Particularly  I  would  be  glad  that  you  would 


1 56  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

show  it  in  this  manner  to  Doctor  Smith,  Doctor  Clarke, 
and  Mr.  Wise.  I  would  also  be  gratified  that  you 
would  confer  with  Colonel  Bragg  because  he  has 
known  Major  Sherman  intimately  for  twenty  years  and 
understands  his  character  and  qualities  better  than  I  do. 

I  have  seen  enough,  however,  to  satisfy  me  that  we 
could  not  hope  to  get  again  exactly  such  another  man  for 
the  position  -  one  of  so  clear,  quick,  and  decided  a 
mind -such  practised  administrative  and  executive 
qualities  -  such  experienced  and  varied  knowledge  of 
men,  the  world  and  its  business,  combined  with  such 
kindliness  of  heart  and  parental  care  and  thoughtful- 
ness.  I  have  found  fully  realized  in  him  all  which  Gen 
eral  Gibson,  Colonel  J.  P.  Taylor  (brother  of  the  late 
president),  and  other  gentlemen  told  me  in  Washington 
last  September,  when  they  said,  in  the  words  of  Colonel 
Taylor,  "if  you  hunted  the  whole  army  from  one  end  of 
it  to  the  other,  you  could  not  have  found  a  man  in  it 
more  admirably  suited  for  the  position  in  every  respect 
than  Sherman." 

In  this  connection  also  I  beg  to  ask  your  perusal  of  the 
enclosed  letter  from  Major  Buell,  one  of  the  assistant 
adjutants-general  of  the  army,  at  present  and  for  some 
time  past  occupying  the  position  of  confidential  military 
adviser  to  the  secretary  of  war -I  also  beg  to  enclose 
you  the  first  letter  I  ever  received  from  Major  Sherman, 
regretting  that  I  have  not  also  to  send  you  his  letter  of 
application  to  the  Board. 

Now!  What  is  to  be  done?  I  wish  to  be  prepared  for 
Mr.  R — n's  arrival,  hoping  that  the  accidents  of  travel 
and  business  may  have  delayed  him  long  enough  for  me 
to  hear  from  you  in  the  meantime.  Already  too  prolix, 
I  will  answer  my  own  question  in  brief.  Let  us  offer 
Major  Sherman,  if  necessary  to  retain  him,  five  thousand 
dollars  a  year,  and  as  an  excuse  for  doing  so  let  us  add 


STUDENT  TROUBLES 157 

to  his  duties  those  of  treasurer  and  purser,  which  now  he 
in  reality  discharges.  And  I  assure  you  that  the  State 
of  Louisiana  will  never  have  invested  money  that  will 
pay  a  better  interest.  Many  men  may  be  capable  to 
make  laws  for  a  nation,  to  govern  a  state,  to  preside  on 
the  bench,  but  I  tell  you  a  man  competent  to  govern, 
control,  instruct  a  large  educational  institution  is  of  rare 
occurrence.  And  if  we  throw  away  this  one  there  is  but 
little  likelihood  that  we  can  replace  him.  This  is  but 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  more  than  he  now  receives,  and 
whilst  I  am  satisfied  that  no  such  idea  as  increased  com 
pensation,  with  such  a  view,  has  entered  his  mind,  for  he 
has  repeatedly  said  "you  pay  your  professors  very  liber 
ally,  and  have  a  right  to  expect  them  to  work"  and  I 
have  never  known  a  more  unsordid  and  unselfish  gen 
tleman,  yet  I  think  that  an  assurance  of  that  amount, 
with  a  comfortable  house  for  his  family,  will  decide  him 
immovably  against  Mr.  R.'s  offers.  Action  in  this  mat 
ter  either  by  the  General  Assembly,  or  by  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  cannot  be  had  immediately,  but  if  you  and 
Dr.  Smith  determine  that  it  shall  be  done,  there  will  be 
but  little  difficulty  in  effecting  it,  and  in  the  event  of 
such  determination,  let  us  three,  you,  Smith  and  I, 
guarantee  to  Major  Sherman  five  thousand  dollars  a 
year  for  five  years,  conditioned  of  course,  on  the  reten 
tion  during  that  time  of  his  health  and  efficiency. 

It  will  not  be  this  amount  of  money  which  will  in 
fluence  him  so  much,  as  the  relief  he  will  thereby  ex 
perience  from  the  apprehension  wrhich  is  becoming 
somewhat  morbid  with  him,  that  occurring  political 
events,  and  the  position  of  his  brother  in  the  U.S.  Con 
gress,  may  or  do  conspire  to  affect  his  position  and  im 
pair  his  usefulness  here.  This  is  the  feeling  which  un 
less  clearly  and  decidedly  removed  from  his  mind,  will 
compel  him  to  accept  R.'s  offer. 


158  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  heard  authentically  of  this  association,  and  its  of 
fers  to  Major  Sherman,  in  Washington  in  September, 
with  many  of  the  names,  of  whom  I  only  recollect  now 
those  of  Rupell,  the  great  Utah  army  contractor,  Roelof- 
son  of  Cincinnati,  where  two  or  three  others  of  them  re 
side,  and  Beverly  Tucker,  U.S.  Consul  at  Liverpool. 
Professor  Smith  told  me  on  his  arrival  here,  that  when 
Mr.  Tucker  came  over  to  Paris  to  attend  the  obsequies 
of  the  late  American  Minister,  he  told  him,  Mr.  S.  of 
this  association  and  its  proportions,  which  comprise  an 
interest  also  without  capital  on  his  part,  in  the  business 
to  Major  S.,  remarking  to  him  that  he  could  well  see 
therefore,  that  if  our  Sherman  and  their  Sherman  was 
one  and  the  same  man,  he  would  not  be  able  to  retain 
him.  Begging  to  hear  from  you  in  this  matter  after  no 
more  delay  than  may  be  absolutely  necessary,  for  Mr. 
Roelofson  may  be  here,  and  Major  Sherman's  decision 
made  in  a  very  few  days  (tho*  I  will  interpose  all  the 
delays  that  I  can). 

[Endorsement  on  retained  copy  of  the  above  letter] 
Wrote  the  Governor  again  on  February  eleventh  of  the 
arrival  of  Mr.  Roelofson,  and  that  although  very  urgent 
for  the  Major  to  make  an  immediate  acceptance  and  go 
right  of!  with  him,  I  had  obtained  from  him  a  delay  of 
ten  days  within  which  the  Major  would  give  his  answer. 
This  was  to  enable  me  to  hear  from  Baton  Rouge, 
whither  on  fourteenth  Major  Sherman  proceeded  him 
self. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  February  10,  1860. 

.     .     .     I  have  now  crossed  the  line  38  and  suppose  I 

must  rest  satisfied  with  the  title  of  the  'Old  Man/  the 

'cross  old  schoolmaster/  but  time  won't  wait  and  we 

must  rush  on  in  the  race  to  eternity.     .     . 

36  Of  forty  years.  -  ED. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  159 

We  have  just  passed  through  a  critical  week,  the  strug 
gle  for  mastery  resulting  in  five  boys  being  gone.  It 
would  take  a  volume  to  record  it,  but  I  am  now  rid  of 
five  noisy,  insubordinate  boys.  Fifty-one  still  remain, 
not  a  recitation  was  missed,  and  I  am  fully  supported. 
There  can  be  but  one  master. 

I  was  prepared  for  this  resistance  but  it  hardly  gave 
me  a  moment's  concern,  but  since,  I  learn  from  Dr. 
Smith  in  the  legislature  that  it  is  doubtful  whether 
Governor  Wickliffe's  bill  will  pass.  Since  old  Brown 
has  run  out,  Congress  organized,  Texas  taken  strong 
ground  against  secession,  the  Louisiana  politicians  have 
cooled  down,  and  they  are  less  zealous  to  build  up  a 
military  school.  Dr.  Smith  wrote  me  to  let  him  know 
the  least  sum  we  needed  from  the  state  to  carry  us 
through  the  year.  I  have  notified  him  that  Governor 
WickclifiVs  sum  is  the  least,  that  the  institution  must 
be  sustained  at  the  start,  and  that  proper  provision  must 
be  made  for  the  professors  in  the  way  of  buildings. 

I  wrote  to  General  Graham  telling  him  the  outline 
of  the  London  proposition  and  that  I  expected  Roelof- 
son  daily,  and  that  if  I  did  not  see  in  the  proceedings  of 
the  legislature  some  signs  of  providing  for  the  institution 
and  for  me  personally,  I  should  be  forced  to  leave.  I 
have  just  received  a  letter  from  him  and  he  seems  in 
great  distress.  He  has  worked  so  long  and  so  hard  to 
build  up  this  college;  he  is  so  delighted  at  present  man 
agement  and  prospects,  and  so  impressed  with  the  be 
lief  that  I  alone  can  manage  its  multifarious  interests, 
that  he  says  while  he  will  not  stand  in  the  light  of  my 
interest,  he  will  not  lose  my  services  to  the  state.  .  . 

I  see  by  the  papers  that  John  was  defeated  for  speak 
er,  but  is  likely  to  be  prominent  in  the  House,  but  he 
will  be  more  careful  hereafter  in  signing  papers  before 
he  reads  them. 


160  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS  EWING 

SEMINARY,  Feb.  12,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR :  Roelof son  37  arrived  yesterday  at  about 
1 1  a.m.  I  was  on  the  point  of  hearing  a  Spanish  reci 
tation,  the  regular  professor  being  sick.  I  read  your 
letter  of  January  14  with  great  care  and  told  Roelofson 
I  had  received  other  letters  and  a  copy  of  the  resolu 
tions  of  the  informal  meeting  at  Cincinnati,  January 
7.  As  the  case  at  that  moment  stood  I  admitted  I  should 
prefer  his  proposition  to  the  terms  of  my  present  en 
gagement,  but  that  no  consideration  could  induce  me  to 
leave  here  without  the  willing  concurrence  of  the  gen 
tlemen  with  whom  I  have  acted.  We  accordingly 
started  for  Alexandria  where  we  found  General  Gra 
ham  and  five  other  members  of  the  board  in  informal 
session.  I  placed  in  their  hands  all  the  papers  and  in 
formed  them  orally  of  R's  presence.  I  did  not  resign. 
I  did  nothing,  but  allowed  them  to  infer  the  conclusion. 
I  also  told  General  Graham  that  of  course  if  the  present 
legislature  did  not  act  that  the  Seminary  could  not  main 
tain  its  ground. 

They  passed  this  informal  resolution,  a  quorum  not 
being  present: 

RESOLVED  that  we  deeply  regret  the  prospect  of  losing  the 
valuable  services  of  Major  Sherman  as  superintendent  of  the 
Seminary  of  Learning. 

RESOLVED  that  we  deem  him  eminently  qualified  as  a  gentle 
man  and  disciplinarian,  that  we  will  do  everything  in  our 
power  to  retain  his  services;  but  in  consideration  of  his  private 
affairs  we  will  yield  with  regret  to  his  declination  but  hope  it 
will  not  be  necessary. 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  and  five  others. 

I  advised  General  G.  some  days  ago  that  Roelofson 
was  coming  and  he  immediately  wrote  to  Governor 

87  Agent  of  the  capitalists  who  wished  Sherman  to  represent  them  in  England. 

-Eo. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  161 

Moore  and  Dr.  Smith,  senator  from  this  parish,  pro 
posing  that  they  should  at  once  make  me  a  distinct  guar 
antee  of  a  good  house  and  a  salary  of  $5,000,  and  yes 
terday  they  asked  me  if  I  would  delay  any  action  for 
ten  days.  General  Graham  stated  the  whole  case  fair 
ly  to  Roelofson  and  after  consultation  we  agreed  that 
I  might  remain  silent  and  uncommitted  for  ten  days. 

The  Board  seem  to  attach  vast  importance  to  my  ser 
vices.  I  acted  summarily  and  decisively  in  several 
cases  last  week  in  which  they  sustained  me,  and  I  keep 
affairs  here  so  regular  and  systematic  that  they  seem 
determined  to  hold  on.  My  mind  is  therefore  made  up 
that  if  the  state  endow  the  Seminary  with  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars  a  year  for  two  years,  allow  me  to  build 
a  good  house  for  my  family  and  pay  me  five  thousand 
dollars  a  year  I  will  stay.  Otherwise  I  will  resign,  and 
give  them  a  reasonable  time  to  replace  me,  and  come 
north  about  April  i.  I  am  bound  to  determine  conclu 
sively  and  finally  on  the  2ist  inst.  and  I  will  cause 
Roelofson  to  be  telegraphed  from  New  Orleans  of  the 
final  conclusion.  I  left  Roelofson  last  night  in  Alex 
andria  with  this  agreement,  to  which  he  assented.  He 
said  he  would  be  in  Cincinnati  the  eighteenth,  when  he 
will  write  you  fully.  He  seemed  pleased  at  our  beau 
tiful  Seminary  but  regarded  it  as  a  kind  of  exile.  Eith 
er  of  the  schemes  now  at  my  choice  is  good,  and  I  will 
choose  that  which  has  the  best  future  chances  and  least 
risks.  I  can't  afford  to  run  any  more  risks,  and  have 
been  buffeted  about  enough. 

BRAXTON  BRAGG  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  February  13,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SHERMAN  :    Your  two  favors  are  received, 
the  last  this  morning  with  its  enclosures.     I  find  a  gen 
eral  feeling  in  favor  of  the  Seminary;  and  most  of  its 


162  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

friends,  as  far  as  my  acquaintance  extends,  are  decided 
ly  in  favor  of  military  organization.  Still  there  is  great 
cause  to  fear  a  failure  of  every  efficient  measure  for  its 
organization  and  support.  All  agree  when  the  subject 
is  mentioned  that  it  is  all  right  and  proper  that  they 
will  vote  for  it,  etc.,  but  all  this  amounts  to  nothing. 
Nobody  seems  to  work,  and  the  subject  is  not  yet  even 
before  a  committee,  and  the  session  is  half  over.  One 
such  man  as  General  Graham  in  the  legislature  would 
do  more  to  forward  its  cause  than  forty  lukewarm 
friends  who  are  content  to  say  "I  agree  with  you  and 
will  vote  for  it  when  it  comes  up." 

Dr.  Smith  is  strongly  for  the  Seminary,  by  no  means 
in  favor  of  the  military  organization  except  as  a  mere 
incident,  and  I  conclude  from  what  he  has  said  to  me, 
very  willing  to  see  a  failure  of  that  part.  He  wants  a 
great  Seminary  to  make  learned  men,  its  operations  to 
commence  just  where  nineteen-twentieths  of  our  young 
men  end.  The  thing  is  a  myth,  an  ignis  fatuus  and  a 
dead  failure  certain,  for  want  of  means  if  nothing  else. 
It  would  cost  us  from  fifty  thousand  to  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars  a  year,  and  you  can't  get  it.  In  a  con 
versation  with  the  doctor  a  few  days  since,  I  regretted 
to  observe  what  I  took  to  be  a  lurking  satisfaction  at  the 
troubles  you  had  in  enforcing  what  he  called  rigid  mili 
tary  discipline.  I  most  emphatically  expressed  my 
hope  that  you  would  carry  the  thing  out  in  its  fullest 
extent,  and  I  am  glad  to  find  I  was  not  mistaken  in  you 
and  show  the  boys  at  the  start  that  you  were  their  com 
mander  and  intended  to  be  so.  Unless  this  is  done  in 
the  outset  we  had  as  well  give  up  the  experiment  for  it 
must  share  the  fate  of  all  previous  efforts  in  the  state. 

The  more  you  see  of  our  society,  especially  our  young 
men,  the  more  you  will  be  impressed  with  the  impor- 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  163 

tance  of  a  change  in  our  system  of  education  if  we  ex 
pect  the  next  generation  to  be  anything  more  than  a 
mere  aggregation  of  loafers  charged  with  the  duty  of 
squandering  their  fathers'  legacies  and  disgracing  their 
names.  I  hoped,  and  still  hope,  your  Seminary  may  be 
the  entering  wedge  for  a  reformation,  but  should  it  fail 
under  the  auspices  now  before  us  I  shall  despair.  A 
few  weeks  will  determine  whether  the  state  intends  to 
sustain  it.  Suspend  your  decision,  if  possible,  on  the 
advantageous  offer  made  you.  Under  any  circum 
stances  I  would  not  advise  you  against  closing  with 
such  an  advantageous  offer.  I  can  only  hope  we  may 
be  enabled  to  make  your  present  position  more  desirable. 

At  the  request  of  Dr.  S.  and  some  other  gentlemen,  I 
have  given  them  a  rough  sketch  of  a  bill  for  estab 
lishing  an  arsenal  with  you,  and  making  your  cadets 
the  military  guard  of  the  "Munitions  of  War"  belong 
ing  to  the  state.  I  hope  it  may  pass.  As  we  are  now, 
our  arms  are  thrown  away  as  fast  as  received. 

I  am  getting  heartily  tired  of  the  honors  of  office.  Of 
all  the  loose,  disorganized,  mal-administered  state  of 
affairs  I  have  ever  seen,  the  public  affairs  of  this  state 
are  the  worst.  Nobody  is  responsible,  every  disbursing 
officer  keeps  his  own  accounts,  draws  his  own  warrants 
on  the  treasury,  and  if  he  can  only  get  a  dishonest  man 
to  consent  to  sign  a  voucher  and  a  warrant,  they  draw 
the  money  and  there  is  the  end  of  it.  No  one  ever  set 
tles  an  account  with  the  state.  One  of  our  Board,  dis 
missed  from  the  army  as  a  defaulter,  with  these  visions 
before  him,  is  giving  us  infinite  trouble.  So  far,  he 
has  failed  in  every  effort,  but  he  has  kept  the  board  from 
any  duty.  The  other  members  are  tender  toward  him, 
and  hope  to  conquer  by  mildness.  I  prefer  the  military 
system  and  go  at  him  rough  shod. 


1 64  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

My  regards  to  General  Graham,  and  thank  him  for 
his  bill.  I  am  for  it  first  and  last,  but  still  am  willing 
to  take  less  if  we  can't  get  all.  But  like  Oliver  Twist  I 
should  "ask  for  more." 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  February  13,  1860. 

.  .  .  I  received  yesterday  your  letter  of  January 
31.  Roelofson  came  Saturday,  and  was  in  a  great  hurry 
to  go  off.  He  said  he  must  be  in  Cincinnati  February 
1 8  to  attend  to  some  business.  I  found  the  scheme  was 
pretty  much  the  same  condition  as  it  was  last  winter. 

.  .  .  All  admit  the  healthfulness  of  the  place  [the 
Seminary]  which  is  inferable  from  the  kind  of  ground. 
Indeed  if  you  hear  that  I  have  concluded  to  stay  here, 
just  make  up  your  mind  to  live  and  die  here,  because 
I  am  going  to  take  the  bit  in  my  mouth,  and  resume  my 
military  character,  and  control  my  own  affairs.  Since 
I  left  New  Orleans,  I  have  felt  myself  oppressed  by  cir 
cumstances  I  could  not  control,  but  I  begin  to  feel  foot 
ing  and  will  get  saucy.  But  if  I  go  to  England  I  shall 
expect  a  universal  panic,  the  repudiation  of  the  great 
national  debt,  and  a  blow  up  generally. 

I  suppose  I  was  the  Jonah  that  blew  up  San  Fran 
cisco,  and  it  only  took  two  months'  residence  in  Wall 
Street  to  bust  up  New  York,  and  I  think  my  arrival  in 
London  will  be  the  signal  of  the  downfall  of  that  mighty 
empire. 

Here  I  can't  do  much  harm,  if  I  can't  do  any  good; 
and  here  we  have  solitude  and  banishment  enough  to 
hide  from  the  misfortunes  of  the  past. 

Therefore,  if  Louisiana  will  endow  this  college  prop 
erly,  and  is  fool  enough  to  give  me  five  thousand  dollars 
a  year,  we  will  drive  our  tent  pins  and  pick  out  a  mag- 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  165 

nolia  under  which  to  sleep  the  long  sleep.  But  if  she 
don't,  then  England  must  perish,  for  I  predict  financial 
misfortune  to  the  land  that  receives  me.  .  . 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  S.  A.  SMITH 

ALEXANDRIA,  Feb.  13,  1860. 

DEAR  DOCTOR:  Your  favor  of  -  -  inst.  was  received 
by  Saturday  night's  mail,  and  sent  yesterday  to  the  su 
perintendent,  both  as  more  encouraging  than  your  pre 
vious  communication  to  him  (which  had  made  him  very 
gloomy),  and  in  order  that  he  might  cause  to  be  pre 
pared  the  copies  you  ask  for,  but  which  can  hardly  be 
got  off,  I  expect,  before  next  Saturday's  mail.  That 
which  I  have  to  copy  from  our  minutes  I  know  cannot, 
for  I  am  greatly  over-worked.  I  got  up  at  three  o'clock 
the  other  night,  as  I  had  very  often  to  do,  to  write  a 
letter  of  four  pages  to  P.  T — r,  who  had  written  me  com 
plaining  of  his  son  being  arbitrarily  spoken  to. 

By  this  boat,  the  "Perry,"  goes  a  letter  to  Governor 
Moore  advising  him  of  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Roelofson, 
from  whom  I  had  obtained  ten  days  ...  for  Major 
Sherman  to  give  him  reply  to  the  offer  made  him.  I 
hope  that  you  and  the  governor  will  have  agreed  to  my 
suggestion.  We  will  always  regret  it  if  we  lose  Major 
Sherman. 

There  is  no  more  constitutional  objection  to  changing 
the  name  of  this  school  than  there  is  to  changing  mine. 
The  name  was  conferred  by  the  act  of  1853.  A  pri 
mary  school  as  well  as  a  university  is  a  "Seminary  of 
Learning."  Mr.  Manning  saw  this  very  quickly  on  my 
showing  him  the  constitution  and  the  act,  when  he  and 
I  were  discussing  the  draft  I  sent  you.  There  is  just 
as  little  constitutional  objection  to  appropriating  a  por 
tion  of  the  common  school  fund  to  preparing  teachers 


1 66  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

for  the  common  schools ;  and  that  is  the  easiest  fund  to 
get  the  money  from. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  Monday,  Feb.  13,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  enclose  you  Dr.  Smith's  letter  which  I 
have  read  with  concern.  I  thought  of  copying  our  reg 
ulations  in  full  -  but  the  task  is  too  large.  Dr.  S—  — r 
is  up  at  Dr.  Bailey's  and  entre  nous,  Dr.  S.  is  not  the 
kind  of  man  for  contact  with  young  men  or  association 
with.  Still  charity  is  a  virtue  and  he  should  have  the 
benefit  of  it. 

I  understand  Jarreau  is  now  here  at  Parker's.  I  am 
glad  of  it,  as  the  irregularities  in  the  mess  and  washing 
must  cease.  Mr.  Smith,38  under  the  contract,  has  pre 
scribed  the  bill  of  fare,  and  will  hereafter  inspect  the 
mess  before  meals.  And  I  will  give  notice  that  if  cadets 
have  their  clothes  properly  marked,  and  delivered  to 
the  laundress  at  the  right  time,  the  value  of  any  article 
lost  shall  be  charged.  I  know  Jarreau  has  an  awful  dull 
set  of  niggers,  and  he  himself  has  been  sick  and  away, 
but  to  secure  system  and  economy  somebody  must  do 
their  work  right.  Again  as  to  regulations,  I  thought 
of  sending  a  copy  of  the  Virginia  rules  -  erased  and  al 
tered,  but  on  comparison  I  find  the  alterations  too  num 
erous  and  important  to  trust  to  interlineation. 

It  occurs  to  me,  that  as  things  now  are  working 
smoothly  and  well,  I  might  take  these  regulations  and 
move  down  to  Baton  Rouge,  appear  before  their  com 
mittee  and  satisfy  them  fully,  and  return  in  a  week.  At 
that  time,  too,  I  could  judge  for  myself  the  temper  of  the 
legislature  and  come  to  a  conclusion  as  to  my  own  proper 
course.  I  must  give  R.  a  positive  answer  by  the  twenty- 
first  or  twenty-second  instant  at  furthest.  I  have  prom- 

38  The  commandant  of  cadets.  —  ED. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  167 

ised  him  to  do  so  and  I  have  never  failed  to  comply  in 
my  life.  But  whether  I  go  or  not  I  assure  you  I  won't 
leave  here  till  you  have  a  successor  of  your  own  choice, 
as  well  if  not  better  qualified,  than  I  am.  Before  the 
middle  of  March  the  cadets  will  be  well  drilled,  armed, 
and  clothed.  All  books  necessary  for  this  year  will  be 
here,  and  all  supplies  needed  by  then.  Books  will  be 
opened  and  records  properly  arranged,  and  the  money 
affairs  so  adjusted  that  the  machine  would  work  of  itself. 
And  if  the  legislature  meanly  act  by  the  Seminary  you 
could  save  the  salary  of  the  superintendent. 

As  to  your  giving  a  personal  guarantee,  while  I  ad 
mire  the  spunk,  I  think  you  ought  not  to  do  it.  I  think 
the  matter  should  be  treated  as  any  business  transaction. 
If  the  legislatures  of  the  country  are  going  to  trammel 
the  Seminary,  entitled  to  help,  you  ought  not  to  inter 
vene.  .  . 

[P.S.]  Have  you  the  letter  to  Madame  D.  from  the 
assistant  engineer?  She  sticks  to  her  belief  that  the 
governor  knew  what  he  caused  to  be  written  her  -  that 
all  her  son's  expenses  should  be  paid.  Yet  she  begs 
delay  and  promises  if  the  legislature  do  not  provide 
support  for  her  boy  that  she  will.  She  wants  that  letter, 
and  I  think  I  sent  it  to  you. 

Sherman  went  to  Baton  Rouge  in  February  and  to  the  Senate 
Committee  on  Education  he  gave  detailed  estimates  of  expenses, 
income,  needs,  etc.  It  was  understood  that  Sherman  was  willing 
to  stay  in  Louisiana  if  the  requested  appropriations  were  given. 
Appropriations  to  cover  all  of  them  were  made  later. 

While  in  Baton  Rouge  Sherman  was  treated  with  the  great 
est  consideration.  He  found,  instead  of  opposition  to  him  on  ac 
count  of  his  own  and  his  brother's  views,  a  strong  desire  on  the 
part  of  those  interested  to  keep  him  in  Louisiana.  That  this  was 
somewhat  surprising  as  well  as  gratifying  to  him  is  indicated  in 
his  letters. 


168  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

BATON  ROUGE,  LA.,  Feb.  16,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  We  got  here  last  evening;  I  soon 
found  out  Colonel  Bragg,  who  is  here  living  in  the  mess 
of  Richard  Taylor  and  two  other  gentlemen  of  the  sen 
ate.  I  also  found  Dr.  Smith  and  many  others  in  author 
ity.  All  seem  very  generally  well-disposed  to  us.  The 
whole  subject  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Educa 
tion,  and  I  have  been  most  of  the  day  in  copying  a  long 
report  of  Dr.  Smith  tracing  the  history  of  the  Semi 
nary  from  its  first  inception  to  the  present  moment. 

This  report  is  designed  to  accompany  a  bill  which  is 
substantially  agreed  on  in  committee,  viz :  to  amend  the 
old  bill  by  modifying  the  provisions  for  indigent  State 
cadets  so  that  we  educate  fifty,  one  from  each  parish  and 
two  additional  from  New  Orleans  -  these  to  be  desig 
nated  by  the  police  juries,  the  state  further  to  appropri 
ate  eleven  thousand  dollars  for  two  professors'  houses, 
five  thousand  dollars  for  chemical,  philosophical,  and 
other  apparatus  and  books;  and  to  provide  for  the  elec 
tion  of  a  vice  president  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  who 
with  four  others  shall  compose  a  quorum,  to  have  all  the 
powers  of  the  present  Board. 

Bragg  has  also  prepared  a  bill  to  make  the  Seminary 
a  State  Arsenal.  For  the  fifty  state  cadets  no  provision 
is  made  for  tuition  and  they  are  limited  to  three  hundred 
dollars  each  and  an  appropriation  made  for  them  of 
fifteen  thousand  dollars  per  annum.  Dr.  Smith  of  course 
is  leader.  He  will  not  consent  to  a  change  of  title  or 
to  modify  it  further,  but  he  still  says  he  can  get  a  liberal 
appropriation  for  its  support. 

The  committee  was  willing  to  grant  the  superintend 
ent  the  rank  of  Colonel,  but  as  long  as  it  is  not  military 
by  law,  I  think  a  naked  rank  would.be  ridiculous.  Dr. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES 169 

Smith,  Bragg,  Mr.  Taylor,  another,  and  myself  dined 
together  to-day  and  they  pitched  into  the  Doctor  with 
out  grace,  telling  him  now  was  the  time  to  make  this  the 
Military  Academy  by  law.  All  agreed  that  the  legis 
lature  would  be  almost  unanimous  but  Dr.  S.  will  not 
budge.  A  simple  bill,  with  few  clauses  and  liberal  ap 
propriations,  Mr.  Taylor  says,  would  pass  without  diffi 
culty,  but  as  the  Committee  of  Education  have  it  in 
hand,  it  must  come  through  them  or  be  attached  to  their 
bill  by  way  of  amendment. 

All  admit  that  Governor  Wickliffe's  recommenda 
tion  39  has  no  weight,  and  that  the  constitution  limits 
the  school  fund  to  a  "distribution  to  parishes  in  the  pro 
portion  of  the  white  children."  The  legislature  has  no 
control  over  it.  The  clause  certainly  reads  so,  and  I 
can't  imagine  why  Governor  Wickcliffe  should  have 
overlooked.  But  the  general  fund  is  large,  and  all  ad 
mit  willingness  to  provide  amply. 

Dr.  Smith  will  not  report  your  bill,  but  will  [report] 
the  one  now  in  committee  maybe  the  day  after  to-mor 
row.  Taylor  may  offer  a  substitute  to  test  the  sense  of 
the  senate.  I  will  stay  here  till  this  matter  is  deter 
mined.  In  the  bill  for  an  Arsenal  they  provide  five  hun 
dred  dollars  for  the  superintendent.  I  can  not  commit 
myself  till  next  Tuesday,  when  I  must.  I  would  much 
prefer  to  see  the  Seminary  made  the  Military  Academy 
by  law,  when  its  character  would  be  fixed  beyond  change, 
but  unless  the  Senate  be  very  strong  that  way  he  will  not 
change.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  Feb.  17,  1860. 
.     .     .     I  wrote  you  day  before  yesterday.     I  dined 

39  That  a  sum  be  appropriated  to  the  Seminary  to  be  expended  in  training 
teachers  for  the  schools.  -  ED. 


170  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

yesterday  with  Governor  Moore,  to-day  am  to  dine  with 
the  attorney-general  and  on  the  whole  am  treated  with 
so  much  consideration,  that  I  cannot  mistrust  the  general 
expression  of  a  hope  that  I  will  not  leave  them. 

The  legislature  promise  to  build  me  a  house,  to  endow 
the  Seminary  and  to  put  all  things  on  the  best  footing. 
They  seem  to  think  that  I  can  accomplish  great  good, 
and  as  they  have  dealt  by  me  so  fairly  I  am  loath  to  quit. 

We  have  now  pretty  well  agreed  on  a  bill  for  the 
legislature  which  is  liberal  and  which  will  easily  pass. 
It  provides  six  thousand  dollars  for  a  house  for  us,  and 
also  makes  provision  so  that  the  Board  can  enlarge  my 
salary.  I  hope  by  Tuesday  it  will  pass  so  that  I  can 
telegraph  and  write  to  Roelofson  as  I  agreed.  Still  I 
will  defer  it  to  the  last  minute  so  that  if  any  contretemps 
should  arise  I  can  take  advantage  of  it.  Here  they  want 
me  to  say  if  they  pass  the  bill  I  will  stay. 

I  tell  them  whether  I  stay  or  no  the  provisions  made 
for  the  Seminary  are  essential  to  its  success.  Still  I  do 
think  it  would  be  more  agreeable  for  you  here  than  in 
England.  We  have  beautiful  warm  weather  now,  flow 
ers  and  trees  in  bloom.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

BATON  ROUGE,  Saturday,  Feb.  17,  1860. 
DEAR  GENERAL:  I  know  how  anxious  you  are  and 
must  be  about  our  affairs  here.  I  have  met  a  great  many 
gentlemen  here,  dined  with  the  governor,  am  invited  to 
dine  with  Mr.  Moise  to-day,  and  by  all  am  assured  of 
the  deep  interest  felt  in  our  affairs.  Could  any  bill  come 
before  either  branch  with  few  provisions,  and  ample 
appropriation  it  would  pass.  But  the  whole  matter  hav 
ing  been  referred  to  the  School  Committee  it  is  proper 
it  should  report  its  bill,  when  anything  may  come  in  on 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  171 

amendment.  First  Dr.  Smith  will  not  consent  to  your 
bill  or  any  new  bill.  He  insists  on  clinging  to  the  old 
bill,  but  is  willing  to  modify  it  in  any  way,  that  may  be 
politic.  He  now  agrees  to  amend  so  far  as  to  style  the 
Seminary  "The  Louisiana  State  Seminary  of  Learning 
and  Military  Academy,"  also  to  add  a  clause  making 
the  cadets,  officers,  etc.,  a  military  body,  with  commis 
sions,  etc.,  also  to  make  five  supervisors  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  business.  The  Board  of  Supervisors 
retaining  all  other  full  powers  as  now. 

As  to  appropriations  we  feel  now  confident  that  there 
is  rightfully  in  the  treasury -$12, 330,  arising  thus- 
coupons  for  eighteen  months  on  $137,000  bond,  nine 
percent  is  $12,330.  We  have  this  on  the  signature  of 
the  auditor  and  the  treasurer  admits  that  sum  to  be  in 
the  treasury  subject  to  appropriation.  It  also  appears 
that  in  former  years,  $119,000  were  appropriated,  and 
that  only  $112,000  have  been  drawn,  leaving  a  balance 
due  the  Seminary  on  that  score,  of  exactly  $6,930  which 
we  will  also  ask  to  be  re-appropriated. 

Dr.  Smith  will  also  ask  the  Seminary  Fund  to  be  re 
lieved  of  the  condition  of  refunding  the  $30,000,  and 
ask  to  cry  quits  on  that  score  of  our  claim  to  compound 
interest.  I  have  just  had  a  full  conversation  with  Ran 
dall  Hunt  who  is  an  eminent  lawyer  and  says  the  courts 
here  have  compelled  the  payment  of  compound  interest, 
when  the  money  has  been  used,  as  was  the  case  with 
Louisiana. 

Now  if  the  legislature  will  repeal  the  clause  requiring 
that  $30,000  to  be  paid  back,  and  will  further  relieve  us 
of  the  charge  of  indigent  youth  -  it  would  be  well  not  to 
press  the  claim  for  compound  interest. 

Now  I  understand  the  Committee  to  intend  to  recom 
mend  the  fifty  indigent  youths,  the  state  to  pay  all  the  ex- 


i72  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

penses  but  tuition.  I  have  explained  fully  that  such 
would  not  help  us  much,  and  Colonel  Taylor  and  Mr. 
Goode  and  others  say  it  will  ruin  our  institution  as 
planters  will  not  send  their  children  to  a  school  with  a 
preponderance  of  pauper  children.  All  admit  a  perfect 
willingness  to  appropriate  $5,000  for  chemical,  philo 
sophical,  surveying,  engineering,  etc.,  books;  also 
$i  1,000  for  two  professor's  houses. 

Therefore  the  points  now  in  dispute  are  the  indigent 
student  clauses.  If  they  reenact  the  sixteen  40  clause  they 
will  appropriate  three  hundred  dollars  a  piece  -  if  they 
provide  for  fifty,  then  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  If 
Messrs.  Taylor  and  Goode  represent  public  sentiment 
properly,  I  think  the  best  plan  would  be  to  give  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  the  six  thousand  dollars  cash,  and 
let  them  reduce  the  tuition  fee  to  all  as  low  as  possible. 
That  would  enable  us  to  educate  as  cheap  as  any  college. 

We  all  meet  again  tomorrow,  Sunday,  and  will  dis 
cuss  these  points.  I  want  the  school  committee  to  report 
on  Monday  or  Tuesday  next,  as  I  want  to  hear  the  action 
of  the  Senate.  Bragg  was  compelled  to  go  down  to  his 
plantation  yesterday  and  may  not  return  before  I  leave, 
but  he  put  me  in  such  good  relation  with  his  friends  that 
really  they  overcome  me  with  zeal.  They  pitched  into 
Dr.  Smith  so,  at  dinner,  that  he  was  alarmed  for  the 
safety  of  the  nation.  They  so  damned  the  volunteers  and 
elevated  the  regulars  that  the  Doctor  feared  for  the 
safety  of  the  liberties  of  the  people. 

I  have  your  bill  in  my  pocket-  also  one  prepared  by 
myself  -  but  I  now  abandon  any  hope  of  a  new  bill,  and 
shall  confine  my  efforts  to  so  modifying  the  old  one  as  to 
bring  in  the  military  element,  and  to  get  the  State  aid 
which  all  seem  so  anxious  to  give.  I  am  now  in  the 

40  The  old  law  provided  for  sixteen  beneficiary  students. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  173 

Library  and  shall  see  if  there  be  not  some  books  we  could 
get.  The  librarian,  named  Carrigan,  is  trying  to  get  a 
state  appointment  for  a  friend  in  New  Orleans.  I  would 
for  myself  be  almost  willing  to  give  him  the  appoint 
ment  on  easy  terms  if  he  wrould  give  me  a  list  of  dupli 
cate  books  that  a  resolution  could  secure  them.  They 
have  a  good  library  here. 

The  knowing  ones  say  the  Arsenal  Bill  will  also  pass, 
and  the  blank  be  filled  with  $i  50,000  for  the  purchase  of 
arms  and  building  a  structure- but  I  doubt  it.  If  wre 
can  get  five  thousand  stand  of  arms,  then  a  field  battery 
and  the  usual  proportion  of  equipments,  it  would  be  all 
we  could  expect  -  and  in  vain  if  the  room  so  dedicated 
get  ten  or  twelve  thousand  dollars  to  build  a  mess  hall 
and  kitchen  separate. 

On  Thursday  next  I  am  bound  to  give  Roelofson  a 
categoric  answer  and  feel  a  little  confused  thereat,  for 
the  solicitude  of  my  family  which  I  have  heretofore  dis 
regarded  now  troubles  me. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS  EWING    JR. 

BATON  ROUGE,  Feb.  17,  1860. 

DEAR  TOM  :  .  .  .  I  am  down  here  at  the  legisla 
ture  log  rolling  for  a  bill  to  the  interest  of  our  institu 
tion.  I  have  no  doubt  of  success.  I  cannot  but  laugh 
in  my  sleeve  at  the  seeming  influence  I  possess,  dining 
with  the  governor,  hobnobbing  with  the  leading  men 
of  Louisiana,  whilst  John  is  universally  blackguarded 
as  an  awful  abolitionist.  No  person  has  said  one  word 
against  me,  and  all  have  refrained  from  using  his  name 
in  vain.  .  . 

As  to  your  prospects,  I  see  as  chief  justice  you  ran 
ahead  of  your  ticket.  I  doubt  not  you  can  be  elected 
as  senator.  For  the  chances  it  is  best,  though  for  a 
firm  solid  foundation  the  judgeship  is  preferable.  Still 


174  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  think  I  know  enough  of  you  to  say  your  mind  is  made 
up  and  like  the  fellow  engaged  to  some  girl  goes  round 
and  asks  advice  leaves  room  for  but  one  side  to  the  ques 
tion.  I  advise  you  then  to  go  to  the  senate,  be  moderate 
and  take  the  chances. 

If  they  find  me  advising  with  you  and  John,  two 
desperate  Blacks,  they  will  suspect  me  of  treason  and 
hang  me.  No,  this  is  not  so,  we  discuss  all  public  ques 
tions  here  with  fairness.  Louisiana  is  not  ultra.  She 
has  property  valued  at  four  hundred  millions  of  dollars 
which  is  all  based  on  slave  labor.  It  is  no  new  open 
question  to  them;  they  must  be  prejudiced  in  favor  of 
their  interests,  and  I  know  and  often  assert  that  such 
persons  as  you  and  John  are  not  inclined  to  molest  this 
property.  I  state  your  position  thus:  in  Kansas  the 
party  known  as  Democratic  did  endeavor  to  impose 
slavery  on  Kansas  and  resorted  to  extraneous  force  and 
fraud.  This  led  to  force  and  violence  on  the  other  side, 
and  then,  as  in  all  similar  contests  for  colonizing,  the 
North  beat,  because  she  has  one  hundred  who  can  emi 
grate  where  the  South  has  one.  I  understand  the  mod 
erate  Republicans  to  be  opposed  to  slavery  in  the  ab 
stract,  to  its  extension,  but  not  committed  to  its  molesta 
tion  where  it  now  exists.  I  hope  the  party  will  not 
attempt  the  repeal  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law,  and  that 
courts  and  legislatures  will  not  take  ultra  ground,  indi 
viduals  and  newspapers  may,  but  judges  and  legislatures 
cannot  without  committing  whole  communities. 

The  relation  between  master  and  slave  cannot  be 
changed  without  utter  ruin  to  immense  numbers,  and 
it  is  not  sure  the  negro  would  be  benefitted.  If  John 
had  not  signed  that  Helper  book  he  could  have  been 
elected  and  would  have  had  a  fine  chance  of  showing 
fairness  and  manliness  at  a  time  of  crisis.  As  it  is  now 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  175 

he  can  only  growl  over  expenses  and  waste;  that  the 
Devil  himself  cannot  stop. 

Louisiana  will  not  join  in  any  South  Carolina  meas 
ure,  but  her  people  and  representatives  are  nervous  on 
the  nigger  question,  and  I  have  to  be  on  my  guard  all 
the  while  as  Ohio  is  looked  on  as  a  regular  Bogey. 
Bragg  and  others  here  know  me  to  be  national,  and  they 
back  me  up  too  strong,  so  that  I  am  coaxed  and  begged 
not  to  leave  them.  I  know  this  sentiment  to  be  sincere 
and  the  professors  begged  me  by  all  the  considerations 
possible  to  stand  by  the  Institution,  as  they  think  that  I 
can  make  it  successful  and  famous.  If  too  by  being 
here,  with  such  relatives  as  you  and  John,  I  could  also 
do  something  to  allay  fears  and  apprehensions  which  I 
believe  unfounded  I  could  do  patriotic  service.  Yet 
the  itching  for  change  and  adventure  makes  me  strong 
ly  inclined  to  go  to  London.  My  life  here  would  settle 
down  into  a  plain,  easy  berth. 

The  Democratic  Party  will  try  to  keep  Kansas  out 
by  manoeuvre,  but  I  take  it  if  a  fair  square  vote  can  be 
had  Kansas  must  be  admitted  as  she  is.  I  shall  be  glad 
to  see  your  name  as  senator.  I  dined  yesterday  with 
Governor  Moore,  to-day  with  the  attorney-general,  so 
you  see  I  am  in  the  land  of  clover  as  well  as  molasses. 

In  his  Memoirs,  Sherman  gives  a  summary  account  of  his 
trip  to  Baton  Rouge  in  the  interests  of  the  Seminary  and  relates 
an  interesting  story  of  how  he  made  known  his  views  on  slavery 
to  a  gathering  of  public  men. 

During  our  first  term  many  defects  in  the  original  act 
of  the  Legislature,  were  demonstrated,  and,  by  the  ad 
vice  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  I  went  down  to  Baton 
Rouge  during  the  session  of  the  legislature  to  advocate 
and  urge  the  passage  of  a  new  bill,  putting  the  institu 
tion  on  a  better  footing.  Thomas  O.  Moore  was  then 


176  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Governor,  Bragg  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Public 
Works,  and  Richard  Taylor  was  a  senator.  I  got  well 
acquainted  with  all  of  these,  and  with  some  of  the  lead 
ing  men  of  the  state,  and  was  always  treated  with  the 
greatest  courtesy  and  kindness. 

In  conjunction  with  the  proper  committee  of  the  legis 
lature,  we  prepared  a  new  bill,  which  was  passed  and 
approved  on  the  jth  of  March,  1860,  by  which  we  were 
to  have  a  beneficiary  cadet  for  each  parish,  in  all  fifty- 
six,  and  fifteen  thousand  dollars  annually  for  their 
maintenance;  also  twenty  thousand  dollars  for  the  gen 
eral  use  of  the  college.  During  that  session  we  got  an 
appropriation  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars  for  building 
two  professors'  houses,  for  the  purchase  of  philosophical 
and  chemical  apparatus,  and  for  the  beginning  of  a  col 
lege  library.  The  Seminary  was  made  a  State  Arsenal, 
under  the  title  of  State  Central  Arsenal,  and  I  was  al 
lowed  five  hundred  dollars  a  year  as  its  superintendent. 

These  matters  took  me  several  times  to  Baton  Rouge 
that  winter,  and  I  recall  an  event  of  some  interest,  which 
must  have  happened  in  February.  At  that  time  my 
brother,  John  Sherman,  was  a  candidate,  in  the  national 
House  of  Representatives,  for  speaker,  against  Bocock, 
of  Virginia.  In  the  South  he  was  regarded  as  an  "abo 
litionist,"  the  most  horrible  of  all  monsters;  and  many 
people  of  Louisiana  looked  at  me  with  suspicion,  as  the 
brother  of  the  abolitionist,  John  Sherman,  and  doubted 
the  propriety  of  having  me  at  the  head  of  an  important 
state  institution.  By  this  time  I  was  pretty  well  ac 
quainted  with  many  of  their  prominent  men,  was  gener 
ally  esteemed  by  all  in  authority,  and  by  the  people  of 
Rapides  Parish  especially,  who  saw  that  I  was  devoted 
to  my  particular  business,  and  that  I  gave  no  heed  to  the 
political  excitement  of  the  day.  But  the  members  of  the 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  177 

state  Senate  and  House  did  not  know  me  so  well,  and  it 
was  natural  that  they  should  be  suspicious  of  a  northern 
man,  and  the  brother  of  him  who  was  the  "abolition" 
candidate  for  speaker  of  the  House. 

One  evening,  at  a  large  dinner-party  at  Governor 
Moore's  at  which  were  present  several  members  of  the 
Louisiana  legislature,  Taylor,  Bragg,  and  the  Attorney- 
general  Hyams,  after  the  ladies  had  left  the  table,  I 
noticed  at  Governor  Moore's  end  quite  a  lively  discus 
sion  going  on,  in  which  my  name  was  frequently  used; 
at  length  the  governor  called  to  me,  saying:  "Colonel 
Sherman,  you  can  readily  understand  that,  with  your 
brother  the  abolitionist  candidate  for  speaker,  some  of 
our  people  wonder  that  you  should  be  here  at  the  head  of 
an  important  state  institution.  Now,  you  are  at  my 
table,  and  I  assure  you  of  my  confidence.  Won't  you 
speak  your  mind  freely  on  this  question  of  slavery,  that 
so  agitates  the  land?  You  are  under  my  roof,  and,  what 
ever  you  say,  you  have  my  protection." 

I  answered:  "Governor  Moore,  you  mistake  in  call 
ing  my  brother  John  Sherman,  an  abolitionist.  We  have 
been  separated  since  childhood  -  I,  in  the  army,  and  he 
pursuing  his  profession  of  law  in  northern  Ohio;  and  it 
is  possible  we  may  differ  in  general  sentiment,  but  I  deny 
that  he  is  considered  at  home  an  abolitionist;  and,  al 
though  he  prefers  the  free  institutions  under  which  he 
lives  to  those  of  slavery  which  prevail  here,  he  would  not 
of  himself  take  from  you  by  law  or  force  any  property 
whatever,  even  slaves." 

Then  said  Moore:  "Give  us  your  own  views  of 
slavery  as  you  see  it  here  and  throughout  the  South." 

I  answered  in  effect  that  "the  people  of  Louisiana 
were  hardly  responsible  for  slavery,  as  they  had  inher 
ited  it;  that  I  found  two  distinct  conditions  of  slavery, 


178  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

domestic  and  field  hands.  The  domestic  slaves,  em 
ployed  by  the  families,  were  probably  better  treated  than 
any  slaves  on  earth;  but  the  condition  of  the  field-hands 
was  different,  depending  more  on  the  temper  and  dispo 
sition  of  their  masters  and  overseers  than  were  those  em 
ployed  about  the  house;"  and  I  went  on  to  say  that, 
were  I  a  citizen  of  Louisiana,  and  a  member  of  the 
legislature,  I  would  deem  it  wise  to  bring  the  legal  con 
dition  of  the  slave  more  near  the  status  of  human  beings 
under  all  Christian  and  civilized  governments.  In  the 
first  place,  I  argued  that,  in  sales  of  slaves  made  by  the 
state,  I  would  forbid  the  separation  of  families,  letting 
the  father,  mother,  and  children,  be  sold  together  to 
one  person,  instead  of  each  to  the  highest  bidder.  And, 
again,  I  would  advise  the  repeal  of  the  statute  which  en 
acted  a  severe  penalty  for  even  the  owner  to  teach  his 
slave  to  read  and  write,  because  that  actually  qualified 
property  and  took  away  a  part  of  its  value;  illustrating 
the  assertion  by  the  case  of  Henry  Sampson,  who  had 
been  the  slave  of  Colonel  Chambers,  of  Rapides  Parish, 
who  had  gone  to  California  as  the  servant  of  an  officer 
of  the  army,  and  who  was  afterward  employed  by  me 
in  the  bank  at  San  Francisco.  At  first  he  could  not 
write  or  read,  and  I  could  only  afford  to  pay  him  one 
hundred  dollars  a  month ;  but  he  was  taught  to  read  and 
write  by  Reilley,  our  bank-teller,  when  his  services  be 
came  worth  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a  month, 
which  enabled  him  to  buy  his  own  freedom  and  that  of 
his  brother  and  his  family. 

What  I  said  was  listened  to  by  all  with  the  most  pro 
found  attention;  and  when  I  was  through,  some  one  (I 
think  it  was  Mr.  Hyams  struck  the  table  with  his  fist, 
making  the  glasses  jingle,  and  said,  "By  God,  he  is 
right!"  and  at  once  he  took  up  the  debate,  which  went 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  179 

on,  for  an  hour  or  more,  on  both  sides  with  ability  and 
fairness.  Of  course,  I  was  glad  to  be  thus  relieved,  be 
cause  at  the  time  all  men  in  Louisiana  were  dreadfully 
excited  on  questions  affecting  their  slaves,  who  consti 
tuted  the  bulk  of  their  wealth,  and  without  whom  they 
honestly  believed  that  sugar,  cotton,  and  rice,  could  not 
possibly  be  cultivated.  .  . 

At  the  end  of  the  time  in  which  Sherman  was  to  make  his  de 
cision  he  concluded,  that  since  his  family  so  desired  it,  he  would 
accept  the  London  position.  To  his  wife's  brother,  Thomas 
Ewing  Jr.,  he  wrote:  "I  confess  I  sever  the  relations  between 
myself  and  present  associates  with  deep  regret.  Their  behavior 
in  all  things  has  been  frank,  manly  and  generous."  He  then  be 
gan  preparations  looking  toward  the  selection  of  his  successor, 
but  the  Board  of  Supervisors  urged  him  not  to  decide  finally  until 
he  had  visited  Ohio  to  see  the  officials  of  the  London  company 
and  looked  more  closely  into  the  merits  of  the  projected  enter 
prise. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  Feb.  21,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Dr.  Smith  has  finished  his  report 
and  bill,  which  though  a  medley  of  old  and  new  ideas, 
maybe  falling  within  the  parable  of  new  cloth  in  old 
garments,  I  was  forced  to  assent  to  as  the  best  compro 
mise.  As  it  stands,  "A  Seminary  of  Learning  and  Mili 
tary  Academy,"  possessed  in  fact  of  military  organiza 
tion,  it  may  (by  keeping  that  idea  clear  and  distinct  be 
fore  you)  be  made  to  fulfill  your  sanguine  hopes. 

At  all  events  I  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not.  The 
report  and  bill  were  to  be  printed,  and  as  the  senate  had 
dispersed  to  Thursday  I  came  down  to  see  if  I  could  not 
pick  up  a  tailor  and  shoemaker  -  and  pay  up  a  few  small 
bills  owed  here.  I  have  paid  the  bills  but  as  yet  have 
not  heard  of  a  tailor  or  shoemaker  willing  to  come.  I 
must  return  to  Baton  Rouge  to-morrow,  but  will  in  the 


i8o  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

meantime  continue  to  look  for  tailors  who  do  not  seem 
indigenous  to  your  otherwise  fertile  soil. 

I  have  also  opened  communication  with  Mrs.  Sher 
man,  by  telegraph,  and  she  is  so  strongly  in  favor  of  the 
London  project  that  I  must  decide.  This  is  my  last  day 
of  grace,  and  I  must,  as  the  case  stands,  choose  the  Lon 
don  project,  but  as  I  told  you  I  will  do  all  I  can  to  give 
you  a  successor  better  than  myself,  and  use  any  influence 
my  acquaintance  with  Bragg,  Colonel  Taylor,  and 
others  may  give  to  secure  to  the  Seminary  all  the  help 
that  this  legislature  can  grant.  I  have  in  my  mind  two 
gentlemen,  one  named  Trowbridge,  who  married  in 
Savannah  -  resigned  and  is  now  in  the  Coast  Survey  Of 
fice,  who  graduated  head  of  his  class  some  ten  years  ago. 
Also  Captain  Stone  who  is  now  I  fear  in  Sonora,  Mexi 
co.  I  have  written  to  Buell,  advising  each  to  apply  for 
my  vacancy,  and  to  send  credentials,  which  however 
they  need  not  tender,  as  their  records  are  perfect. 

If  the  legislature  appropriate  you  should  have  a 
superintendent,  but  if  it  make  a  shabby  appropriation 
you  could  so  manage  this  term  to  save  the  cost  of  that 
officer.  I  propose  to  hold  on  till  you  can  spare  me,  but 
would  like  to  get  off  about  April  i,  so  that  I  could  spend 
a  few  days  in  Ohio,  before  again  embarking  in  the 
stormy  sea  of  finance.  I  confess  I  make  this  step  in 
doubt,  and  the  strong  preference  of  my  family  is  all 
that  turns  the  scale  in  my  mind.  I  therefore  announce 
to  you  my  determination,  and  will  give  you  an  official 
document  as  soon  as  I  return  to  the  Seminary. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  February  21,  1860. 

.     .     .     I  write  to  General  Graham  that  the  day  has 

arrived,  and  that  as  the  case  now  stands  I  must  choose 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  181 

London.  I  really  feel  sorry.  General  Graham's  whole 
soul  was  rapt  up  in  the  success  of  this  college,  and  he 
seems  to  feel  that  I  am  essential  to  it.  Would  I  accept 
he  would  make  up  the  difference  from  his  own  purse; 
indeed  he  made  such  an  offer  to  the  governor  but  I 
would  not  listen  to  it.  The  success  of  the  institution  de 
pends  on  the  parents  of  the  boys. 

There  are  many  good  men  to  replace  me  but  none 
seems  to  be  at  hand.  General  Graham  almost  associated 
a  Providence  with  us,  the  deep  affection  for  you  by  his 
sister,  the  confidence  in  me  by  his  dead  brother,  united 
with  the  accident  of  my  application  made  him  believe 
it,  a  special  Providence;  and  now  he  sees  that  Provi 
dence  don't  control  it.  But  enough  of  this. 

GOVERNOR  THOMAS  O.  MOORE  TO  G.  MASON 
GRAHAM 

BATON  ROUGE,  Feb.  21,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  ...  I  have  had  but  little  conversa 
tion  with  Major  Sherman  relative  to  the  Seminary,  my 
time  during  the  sitting  of  the  legislature  being  so  con 
stantly  occupied  with  business  in  my  new  sphere,  that  I 
am  too  much  wearied  when  I  get  from  the  State  House 
to  think  of  anything  but  rest.  The  Major  has  been  ab 
sent  in  the  city  two  days,  which  I  did  not  know  until 
yesterday.  .  .  I  went  to  the  Harney  House  to  invite 
him  to  take  a  room  at  my  house,  as  I  had  a  comfortable 
one,  and  would  have  him  with  me,  where  I  could  talk  to 
him  at  my  leisure,  and  will  invite  him  as  soon  as  he  re 
turns  to  do  so,  and  will  do  all  I  can  to  induce  him  to 
remain  at  the  head  of  the  Seminary. 

I  do  not  feel  disposed  to  make  myself  responsible  with 
others  for  the  $5,000  salary,  as,  if  it  were  necessary  for 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  give  the  amount  to  retain 


1 82  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

him,  and  I  should  be  in  favor  of  it,  it  might  be  supposed 
or  charged  that  I  was  so,  from  the  fact  that  I  have  guar 
anteed  to  him  the  amount. 

With  the  amount  now  on  hand  and  that,  that  Dr. 
Smith  hopes  to  have  appropriated,  we  can  afford  to  give 
the  Major  an  additional  one  thousand  dollars  which  I 
trust  will  retain  him,  but  I  would  agree  to  the  five 
thousand  dollars  sooner  than  lose  him,  and  have  no 
doubt  the  Board  would  vote  it.  .  . 

P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Feb.  23,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  MAJOR:  Allow  me  to  introduce  to  you 
my  nephew,  Master  Stephen  R.  Proctor,  who  desires  to 
become  a  member  (a  distinguished  one  I  hope)  of  your 
Military  Academy.  If  he  could  be  put  in  a  separate 
room  with  my  son  Rene,  his  cousin,  without  any  viola 
tion  of  your  internal  arrangements,  I  would  consider  it 
a  great  favor  to  both  of  them,  as  the  one  would  have  to 
remain  silent  when  the  other  wished  to  study.  Other 
wise  may  I  request  you  to  select  him  such  roommates  as 
you  would  give  to  one  of  your  own  sons. 

I  have  written  to  Capt.  G.  W.  Smith  the  substance  of 
our  conversation  of  yesterday,  with  hope  that  he  might 
be  willing  to  become  your  successor  for  he  would  be  the 
best  one  that  I  know  of,  otherwise  he  may  be  able  to 
recommend  one  to  us  whose  claims  he  might  be  happy 
to  support,  but  I  must  request  you  not  to  be  in  too  great 
a  hurry  about  carrying  out  your  intention  of  resigning. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  ALEXANDRIA,  March  i,  1860. 

SlR:     As  I  have  advised  you  in  advance  I  find  myself 

so  placed,  as  to  require  me  thus  to  place  my  resignation 

in  your  possession.    That  no  misapprehension  may  ever 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  183 

occur,  I  now  assert  that  I  am  well  pleased  at  all  that  has 
occurred  here,  and  that  I  believe  this  institution  must 
prosper,  as  long  as  the  parents  of  cadets  sustain  the 
authority  in  the  maintenance  of  good  discipline.  But  I 
am  offered  a  most  lucrative  post  at  London,  which  is  so 
pressed  on  my  acceptance  by  my  family,  who  depend  on 
me  for  support,  that  I  cannot  disregard  their  claims. 
For  this  reason  and  no  other  I  tender  my  resignation, 
only  asking  that  I  may  be  relieved  of  duty  here  about 
April  i,  next.  I  submit  herewith  an  alternate  proposi 
tion. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  March  i,  1860. 

SIR:  I  send  you  herewith  the  resignation  concerning 
which  I  have  already  troubled  you  too  much.  Had  not 
the  relations  between  us  become  more  than  official  I 
should  not  have  complicated  this  move  by  an  expression 
of  my  private  views  and  feelings,  but  I  believe  you  and 
all  are  sincere  in  the  many  expressions  of  respect  shown 
me,  and  that  you  are  really  willing  to  bear  a  little  with 
me,  and  even  overlook  an  inconvenience  that  no  change 
should  occur  in  the  organization  of  the  academic  staff 
at  this  time. 

I  therefore  admit  that  personally  I  should  prefer  to 
remain  here  trusting  that,  in  the  progress  of  this  institu 
tion,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  will  do  all  in  their  power 
to  make  me  and  my  family  comfortable,  but  I  am  so  far 
from  them  that  letters  are  inadequate  to  explain  these 
things  to  them,  and  pressed  as  they  are  by  interested 
parties,  they  remain  so  urgent  that  I  am  in  a  measure 
forced  to  comply  with  their  claims  to  my  protection. 

Yet  I  have  an  idea,  that  if  I  could  go  to  Ohio,  I 
might  change  this  naked  view  of  the  case.  The  salary 
offered  me  abroad  is  so  much  better  than  what  this  in- 


1 84  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

stitution  can  or  should  offer,  that  they  cannot  for  a  mo 
ment  make  a  favorable  comparison;  but  it  may  be  that 
by  going  to  Baton  Rouge,  seeing  that  the  bills  reported 
are  either  the  law  or  have  sufficient  probability  of  being 
so,  I  might  in  four  or  five  days  reach  Ohio,  and  if  pos 
sible  return  with  my  family  by  the  close  of  March.  In 
which  [case]  I  should  be  most  willing  to  remain  and 
abide  the  fate  of  the  Seminary,  be  it  fully  successful  or 
otherwise.  On  this  score  I  should  ask  no  guarantee  or 
promise  of  any  kind,  but  place  myself  where  I  now  am. 

I  am  fully  conscious  that  I  may  utterly  fail  in  this 
move  [because]  our  people  have  an  utter  dread  of  the 
yellow-fever  and  other  epidemics  of  the  South,  not  so 
much  for  themselves  as  for  children,  but  I  do  believe 
if  my  family  could  stay  here  a  few  years,  this  prejudice 
would  wear  away,  and  then  I  could  have  that  conscious 
faith  that  would  enable  me  to  devote  all  my  time,  energy, 
and  experience  to  my  real  duty  here.  But  you  know  full 
well  how  disturbing  it  is  to  reside  in  one  place,  with  a 
family  in  another  place  ever  disturbed  by  fears  and  anx 
ieties  however  ill  founded. 

If  therefore  you  in  your  individual  capacity  will  con 
sent  to  my  thus  leaving,  I  will  start  early  next  week, 
satisfy  myself  at  Baton  Rouge  of  the  situation  of  our 
interests  there  and  thence  proceed  to  Ohio.  If  possible 
I  will  return  with  expedition  bringing  my  family  or  I 
will  send  you  prompt  and  emphatic  word  as  to  my  abso 
lute  determination  -  all  within  March -and  in  either 
event  I  will  return,  to  turn  over  my  charge  here  to  a 
successor.  In  the  meantime  you  and  others  could  cast 
about  for  a  successor  or  arrange  for  my  final  departure. 
If  this  be  not  entirely,  fully,  and  absolutely  satisfactory 
I  beg  you  will  treat  this  as  private  -  and  put  the  formal 
resignation  herewith  before  the  Board  for  their  final 
action.  I  need  not  add  that  I  could  any  day  close  my  ac- 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  185 

counts  and  hand  my  cash  balance  to  any  party  appointed 
to  receive  it. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  March  5,  1860. 

SIR:  Agreeably  to  the  terms  of  your  letter  of  the  first 
instant  I  propose  on  tomorrow  to  avail  myself  of  the 
permission  therein  contained,  to  visit  Ohio  and 
shall  .  .  .  proceed  to  Baton  Rouge,  satisfy  myself 
as  to  the  actual  state  of  our  business  at  the  capital,  thence 
to  New  Orleans,  as  the  speediest  mode  of  reaching  the 
north,  thence  without  delay  by  railway  to  Lancaster, 
Ohio,  which  I  expect  to  reach  by  the  fourteenth  instant. 
Two  or  five  days  at  furthest  will  suffice  to  come  to  an 
absolutely  final  decision  on  the  points  heretofore  ex 
plained,  the  result  of  which  will  be  telegraphed  to  Gov 
ernor  Moore  and  thence  sent  to  you.  In  the  meantime 
it  would  be  well  for  you  and  all  the  supervisors  to  do  all 
you  deem  prudent  in  advance  to  select  a  proper  person 
to  succeed  me,  in  the  event  of  the  vacancy  occurring. 

I  herewith  enclose  you  an  order  on  S.  W.  Henarie 
with  whom  I  deposit  my  accounts  current  in  full  to 
date.  I  have  also  caused  an  approximate  inventory  to  be 
taken  of  all  property,  of  which  in  the  shape  of  books, 
furniture,  etc.,  there  are  on  hand  an  abundant  supply 
for  all  1860  and  over. 

All  accounts  are  paid  up,  and  there  are  no  outstand 
ing  matters  save  the  clothing,  which  I  am  informed  by 
telegraph  would  be  sent  from  New  York  by  the  first 
steamer  of  March.  The  bill  for  clothing  will  range 
from  $2,500  to  $3,000.  I  deliver  to-day  to  Professor 
Smith  $1,221.  I  have  remitted  to  the  Mechanics'  and 
Traders'  Bank  $3,986;  amount  of  check  drawn  by  you 
at  my  request,  $2,033,  leaving  there  $1,953. 

Therefore  there  is  money  enough  on  hand  to  pay  this 


1 86  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

bill.  It  was  my  purpose  to  segregate  all  items  of  pur 
chase,  to  see  what  has  been  spent  for  permanent  furni 
ture,  salaries,  board,  etc.,  but  the  writing,  day-book, 
ledger,  press  books,  and  the  ten  thousand  little  items  of 
writing  require  a  vast  amount  of  writing.  But  gradu 
ally  I  advise  this  labor  to  be  distributed  among  cadets. 
Thus  I  have  named  Cadet  Irwin,  as  acting  quarter 
master  sergeant.  Soon  we  can  name  an  acting  sergeant 
major  who  will  keep  the  account  of  delinquencies,  thus 
relieving  the  superintendent  and  commandant  of  a  large 
bulk  of  labor. 

I  have  endeavored  to  foresee  every  possible  contin 
gency  during  my  absence. 

ist.  The  studies,  recreations  and  military  exercises 
should  be  kept  as  now,  for  which  Professor  Smith  is 
fully  competent  to  control. 

and.  Any  correspondence,  answering  letters,  etc., 
convening  Academic  Board,  and  generally  the  duties  of 
superintendent  devolve  on  Professor  Vallas. 

3rd.  The  three  servants  can  be  profitably  employed 
as  now  in  gardening. 

4th.  We  have  a  tailor,  who  agrees  to  work  constant 
ly,  according  to  a  schedule  of  prices  to  be  approved  by 
superintendent,  but  we  have  to  guarantee  him  work 
amounting  to  ten  dollars  a  week.  We  also  provide  him 
a  part  of  the  house  to  the  east  of  the  Seminary,  and  pro 
vide  him  with  wood  in  the  rough.  He  has  a  wife  and 
one  child,  and  they  appear  decent  and  respectable. 

As  to  further  improvements  I  have  studied  the 
ground,  and  am  satisfied  that  a  rough  design,  this  day 
handed  Professor  Smith,  will  best  fulfill  our  future,  and 
will  admit  of  any  amount  of  enlargements.  Neverthe 
less  if  the  Board  of  Supervisors  prefer,  they  might  in 
person  examine,  and  prepare  a  plan  and  cause  all  im- 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  187 

provements  to  conform  thereto.  I  advise  at  the  earliest 
moment  a  good  fence  to  be  made  -  with  two  side  gates 
and  two  handsome  front  gates -the  whole  to  embrace 
about  twenty-four  acres  of  ground.  I  think  for  all  fenc 
ing  and  lumber  to  be  used,  a  good  bargain  could  be  made 
with  Dr.  Carson  who  has  a  sawmill  close  by,  and  who 
would,  I  am  informed,  be  willing  to  exchange  sawed 
lumber  for  timber  of  which  we  could  furnish  an  abun 
dance.  Killing  two  birds  with  one  stone  viz:  Clearing 
our  grounds,  and  procuring  lumber  without  the  pay 
ment  of  money.  This  bargain  should  be  made  at  once 
and  the  mill  started  in  cutting  fencing  inch  boards - 
five  thousand  feet,  one  foot  wide  and  ten  thousand  feet, 
six  inches  wide,  cypress  or  chinquepin  posts  should  be 
contracted  for  four  hundred  posts  -  eight  feet  long,  one 
or  two  sawed  faces. 

I  will  most  certainly  return  in  March,  and  if  I  re 
sume  my  duties  as  superintendent  and  am  charged  with 
the  contemplated  improvements,  it  would  be  a  large 
step,  to  have  the  foregoing  provided  in  advance.  I  have 
gone  over  these  points  fully  to  Mr.  Vallas,  and  Smith, 
and  believe  that  no  inconvenience  or  prejudice  can  result 
to  the  Seminary  during  my  absence  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

STEAMBOAT  HODGES,  March  6,  1860. 
DEAR  GENERAL:  .  .  .  We  will  reach  Baton 
Rouge  by  three.  I  will  at  once  see  Dr.  Smith  and  Gov 
ernor  Moore,  and  then  take  post  at  the  wharf  boat,  cal 
culating  in  my  mind  the  quickest  chance  of  reaching 
Ohio  -  by  going  to  New  Orleans  or  back  to  Vicksburg. 
If  I  could  reach  the  city  by  daylight  tomorrow  I  could 
be  at  Lancaster  next  Saturday- otherwise  I  will  be 
caught  by  Sunday  at  Cincinnati.  I  will  not  attempt  to 
write  you  from  Baton  Rouge  unless  it  be  a  P.S.  to  this 


1 88  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

letter,  taking  it  for  granted  that  you  will  hear  from  there 
from  other  parties. 

I  was  a  little  disconcerted  yesterday  by  two  things  - 
Jarreau  who  has  heretofore  held  out  to  me  his  willing 
ness  to  board  me  and  family  until  a  house  could  be  built, 
told  me  very  frankly  that  his  wife  was  unwilling,  being 
fearful  Mrs.  Sherman  would  not  be  satisfied.  I  then 
tried  Poussin  whose  house  I  visited  and  found  very  good, 
but  he  tells  me  he  intends  to  move  in  very  shortly.  The 
only  other  chance  is  the  house  of  Biossat  -  now  occupied 
by  McNight.  It  is  rather  in  a  tumble  down  condition 
good  enough  for  summer  but  calculated  to  give  an  Ohio 
lady  the  horrors.  Still  I  won't  let  trifles  bar  my  present 
movements.  If  I  bring  my  family  I  may  come  by  way  of 
New  Orleans  and  bring  up  all  essentials  for  housekeep 
ing,  relying  on  your  hospitality  till  I  find  other  accom 
modations.  But  I  do  think  it  would  be  well  in  any  event 
to  take  preliminary  steps  to  procure  the  lumber,  lime, 
etc.,  for  the  two  professors'  houses,  certain  to  be  built. 
I  am  aware  that  plans,  drawings,  specifications  and  esti 
mates  should  precede  any  purchases,  but  still  if  that  saw 
mill  could  get  to  work  at  once  it  would  facilitate  every 
thing.  You  may  rely  on  my  giving  you  the  quickest  pos 
sible  notice  of  my  final  determination  by  telegraph  from 
Ohio.  .  . 

[P.S.]  8  p.m.,  Tuesday.  Reached  Baton  Rouge,  4 
p.m.  Saw  Dr.  Smith.  His  bill  amended  by  the  House 
to  embrace  fifty-one  beneficiaries  -  and  fifteen  thousand 
appropriated  therefor.  Our  idea  of  the  University  all 
mistake.  In  senate  the  beneficiary  opposed  on  the 
ground  of  giving  our  institution  the  character  of  the  in 
digent  college,  but  it  passed  by  the  casting  vote  of  the 
lieutenant-governor,  is  now  the  law.  I  am  perfectly 
willing.  The  Arsenal  Bill  will  pass  if  reached  but  no 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  189 

appropriation  will  be  made  for  the  present  use  of  arms. 
I  expect  to  reach  New  Orleans  by  6  a.m.  and  to  start 
north  at  7:30  to  reach  Cincinnati  Friday,  and  home  Sat 
urday.  On  Monday  maybe  will  again  go  to  Cincinnati 
and  telegraph  you  or  Governor  Moore  by  Wednesday  or 
Thursday.  Dr.  Smith  says  I  can  have  the  house  of 
Mrs.  -  -  next  Robertson's.  If  the  telegraph  announces 
my  coming  with  family,  I  shall  depend  on  you  some 
what  to  help  me  to  temporary  quarters.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

NEW  ORLEANS,  March  7,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  .  .  .  Being  oppressed  with 
time,  and  finding  myself  snug  at  my  old  Commissary 
Office,41  I  am  forced  to  bore  you  again.  In  the  belief 
that  you  may  deem  it  wise  and  prudent  to  call  the  super 
visors  together  to  organize  under  the  new  law  and  to 
transact  other  business  I  will  send  you  with  this  a  dia 
gram  of  the  mode  in  which  I  recommend  the  improve 
ments  to  be  made.  Also  a  drawing  of  one  style  of  house, 
which  would  work  in  all  our  brick,  be  comfortable  and 
within  our  estimates.  On  the  whole  I  advise  the  use  of 
brick  as  far  as  the  front  buildings  are  concerned:  First 
to  use  up  stock  on  hand  -  to  obviate  the  necessity  of 
buying  that  much  weather  boarding,  and  by  using  slate 
a  couple  of  feet  above  ground  it  will  with  good  project 
ing  roofs  and  porches  make  the  walls  dry  enough.  In 
that  case  porches  all  round. 

I  also  left  with  Christy  a  rough  draft  of  a  good  look 
ing  house  which  is  larger  than  this  but  designed  to  be 
wholly  of  wood.  On  further  reflection  I  think  we  had 
better  use  the  brick.  By  so  doing  and  by  getting  Dr. 
Carson's  mill  we  could  save  a  big  item  in  building  and 
lay  it  out  in  the  embellishment  of  ground.  On  this  point 

41  Where  he  was  stationed  from  1852  to  1853.  — ED. 


i9o  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  might  enlarge  a  little  -  where  a  little  vine  creeps  by 
the  window  side,  look  for  virtue  and  not  vice  -  where  a 
taste  for  beauty  and  fine  scenery  is  inculcated,  look  for 
the  qualities  that  adorn  society  and  give  stability  to  a 
state.  I  would  thus  at  the  Seminary  attach  much  im 
portance  to  embellishment.  Not  costly  gravelled  walks, 
and  artificially  trimmed  trees,  but  a  general  care  of  the 
natural  features,  with  enough  art  to  set  it  off.  Our  mili 
tary  movements  being  on  right  angles,  force  us  to  rec 
tangular  fences,  and  road,  but  subordinate  to  them  may 
in  time  be  planted  walks  and  paths  to  suit  the  shape  of 
the  ground.  I  am  satisfied  the  general  group  will  be 
most  striking  by  arranging  all  in  lines  of  parallelism 
with  the  main  building  and  each  having  some  part  fin 
ished  of  the  Tudor  style  of  battlement,  so  as  on  its  face 
to  connect  itself  with  the  center  of  the  picture.  Those 
general  ideas  of  style  explain  why  I  have  placed  the  two 
contemplated  professors'  houses  symmetrically  with  the 
Seminary  and  it  so  happens  that  each  falls  on  high  com 
manding  sites.  It  may  be  that  Professor  Vallas  would 
have  his  a  little  further  back,  but  I  would  have  it  so. 
This  is  a  matter  of  much  importance  and  should  be  well 
studied  by  the  Board  and  acted  on  independently  of  me, 
Vallas  or  anybody  else.  Only  let  the  decision  be  made, 
so  that  when  I  return  we  may  go  to  work. 

The  last  two  weeks  of  March,  1860,  were  spent  by  Sherman 
in  Ohio.  As  the  supervisors  hoped,  he  decided  not  to  accept  the 
London  position  but  to  return  at  once  to  Louisiana.  His  rea 
sons  for  the  change  of  mind  are  given  in  the  following  letters. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  March  15,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:     .     .     .    At  5  p.m.  of  Wednesday, 

I  was  seated  in  the  car,  and  soon  whirled  along  Pont- 

chartrain  marshes,  out  into  the  pine  woods  and  about  4 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  191 

a.m.  was  at  Canton,  Miss.  Then  transferring  to  another 
train  we  again  whirled  along  through  Mississippi  and 
at  8  p.m.  Thursday  we  reached  Jackson,  Tenn.,  just  three 
minutes  too  late  for  the  cars  -  a  failure  caused,  the  con 
ductor  stated,  by  the  watch  of  the  other  conductor;  but 
my  solution  was  that  he  wanted  us  to  spend  some  money 
at  a  friend's  hotel  there.  Next  morning,  Friday,  we 
again  started  at  noon  were  on  board  the  steamboat  which 
ferries  the  twenty  miles  from  Columbus,  Ky.  to  Cairo. 
By  comparing  the  various  railroad  programmes  we 
found  our  delay  at  Jackson,  Mississippi  would  cause  us 
a  further  delay  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  but  by  go 
ing  round  by  Indianapolis  I  found  we  could  save  time, 
so  I  adopted  that  route,  and  reached  Cincinnati  at  1 1 
a.m.  One  hour  too  late -but  at  4:40  p.m.  I  took  a 
freight  train  and  reached  home  Sunday  morning  by 
daylight.  So  in  spite  of  interruptions  I  made  good  time. 
I  find  Mr.  Ewing  is  in  Washington  and  Roelofson  has 
gone  to  Europe  -  thus  confusing  me  somewhat -but  as 
I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  treat  with  one  Gibson  of 
Cincinnati  a  man  of  real  wealth  and  business  quality,  I 
went  down  to  Cincinnati  on  Tuesday,  and  saw  Mr.  Gib 
son.  I  found  him  disinclined  to  assume  any  personal 
responsibility  and  anxious  to  put  me  off  till  Roelofson's 
return.  This  I  would  not  do,  and  put  the  point  to  him, 
clear  of  all  secondary  matters,  that  I  would  not  vacate 
my  place  in  Louisiana  [unless]  he,  Gibson,  would  pay 
me  $3,750  cash  and  secure  me  the  remainder  of  the 
$15,000.  I  could  sell  the  i/io  share  put  to  me  for  $5,000, 
thus  making  $20,000  for  two  years'  work.  Although 
Gibson  was  willing  to  bear  his  proportion,  I  am  not 
willing  to  treat  the  affair  as  a  corporation  and  not  a 
partnership,  by  which  each  partner  is  liable  personally 
for  all  contracts  and  liabilities.  Therefore  I  notified 
Gibson  that  I  would  return  to  Louisiana. 


I92  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Mr.  Ewing  telegraphs  me  he  will  be  here  to-morrow, 
Friday,  when  I  will  telegraph  Governor  Moore.  My 
family  are  all  in  good  health,  living  comfortably  in  a 
house  which  I  hired  for  them  last  summer ;  the  lease  will 
not  expire  till  September,  and  as  I  have  no  place  fit  for 
them  in  Louisiana  I  think  I  will  let  them  remain  here 
and  I  will  come  back  myself  next  week,  reaching  the 
Seminary  nearly  as  soon  as  this  letter,  provided  it  be  as 
long  on  the  road  as  letters  usually  are. 

You  may  therefore  drop  the  idea  of  my  successor.  I 
will  return  and  will  no  longer  entertain  this  London 
proposition  -  only  for  Mr.  Ewing's  sake  I  want  to  see 
him,  before  I  finally  speak  positively  -  but  as  soon  as  he 
comes  I  will  so  telegraph  to  Governor  Moore  and  tell 
him  to  write  you.  By  leaving  here  next  Monday  or 
Tuesday  I  will  be  at  the  Seminary  several  days  before 
the  close  of  March,  in  time  to  make  up  all  accounts  - 
and  make  the  first  quarterly  report.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

S.S.  JOHN  RAINE,  Louisville,  Ky.,  March  21,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  already  written  you  that  I 
have  declined  the  London  proposition,  and  that  I  retain 
my  place  at  the  Seminary,  withdrawing  my  proposed 
resignation.  I  am  now  enroute  for  Alexandria  having 
left  Lancaster  Monday.  I  might  be  at  Vicksburg  by 
railroad  the  day  after  tomorrow,  but  I  have  taken  this 
boat  here  and  will  reach  Red  River  about  Thursday 
next  and,  I  hope,  the  Seminary  the  next  day-  the  reason 
of  my  taking  the  boat  here  is  that  I  have  with  me  a  val 
uable  horse  that  I  do  not  think  should  or  could  be  safely 
conveyed  without  my  being  along  and  I  am  well  as 
sured  that  I  am  on  the  swiftest  boat  going  down.  The 
"John  Raine"  is  the  regular  New  Orleans  packet. 

I  hope  the  Board  of  Supervisors  will  have  organized 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  193 

under  the  new  law,  that  it  will  have  instituted  the  mea 
sures  to  build  the  two  professors'  houses  and  the  fencing 
so  that  the  summer  will  find  them  well  advanced.  I  do 
not  bring  my  family  because  there  is  no  house  for  them, 
and  because  I  think  they  will  be  better  to  remain  in  Ohio 
till  Fall.  I  shall  count  on  remaining  in  Louisiana  all 
summer  in  place  of  this  opportune  leave  of  absence. 

I  received  at  Lancaster  your  letter  enclosing  the  copy 
of  your  correspondence  with  Governor  Moore,  which 
you  will  remember  you  showed  me  in  your  letter  book 
and  the  Governor's  reply.  Still  these  copies  were  most 
acceptable  to  my  friends  and  show  them  the  strong  in 
ducements  I  had  for  choosing  Louisiana  in  preference  to 
London.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 
Academy,  Alexandria,  March  30,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  You  see  I  am  back,  one  day  behind 
time,  caused  by  the  boat's  delaying  that  long  in  picking 
up  freight  along  shore.  Of  course  I  want  to  see  you, 
but  Mr.  Smith  and  the  Doctor  are  under  engagement  to 
visit  the  ladies  at  Judge  Boyce's,  and  I  always  encourage 
that  spirit  in  young  gentlemen. 

I  have  just  come  from  the  declamations  for  this  week, 
which  show  fine  progress;  also  the  new  uniforms  look 
fine.  The  young  gentlemen  are  as  proud  as  peacocks 
and  have  hailed  my  return  as  though  I  were  their  grand 
father.  I  had  to  make  them  a  speech  to-night,  which 
has  filled  up  the  gap  of  my  absence,  and  I  may  now 
work  again.  This  is  the  end  of  the  quarter -I  must 
write  to  the  parent  of  each  cadet,  and  must  settle  all  ac 
counts,  etc.,  so  that  next  week  I  shall  be  busy. 

Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Manning  were  out  to-day  and  told 
me  that  the  Board  of  Supervisors  would  meet  next  Sat- 


194  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

urday.  If  you  can  reorganize  on  that  day  I  will  en 
deavor  to  be  ready  with  all  papers  and  reports  they  may 
call  for. 

The  clothing  has  come,  fifty-one  suits  of  cloth  and 
fifty-one  of  flannel,  hats,  caps,  and  many  spare  articles, 
amounting  to  $3,000.  Have  you  that  money  in  New 
Orleans?  We  have  here,  Smith  says,  about  $1,800  more 
than  enough  to  pay  all  salaries,  mess  accounts,  etc. 
Write  me  on  this  point  also.  Did  you  get  my  account 
current  and  vouchers  left  at  Henarie's?  .  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  March  30,  1860. 

.  .  .  I  wrote  you  from  Louisville  and  Memphis. 
The  boat  was  elegant  and  landed  me  at  ten  o'clock 
Wednesday  night  on  the  wharf  boat  at  Red  River  arid 
at  two  o'clock  same  night  the  boat  "Morning  Light" 
came  along,  and  Clay 42  and  I  embarked,  reaching  Alex 
andria  yesterday  at  sundown.  I  rode  him  out  last  even 
ing.  He  is,  you  will  be  pleased  to  hear,  in  fine  condition 
well  pleased  with  the  trip  and  has  no  dread  of  steam 
boats.  He  had  a  fine  opportunity  to  study  steam  engine, 
and  is  now  familiar  with  all  the  parts. 

The  cadets  seemed  glad  to  see  me,  and  in  their  new 
uniforms  they  looked  finely.  Everything  has  worked 
well  in  my  absence,  and  now  I  can  begin  to  provide  for 
the  future.  I  shall  be  pretty  busy  next  week  in  making 
up  the  accounts  and  sending  the  results  to  parents.  The 
Board  of  Supervisors  have  only  awaited  my  return,  and 
will  soon  meet  and  consider  and  order  the  improvements, 
enlargements,  etc.,  embracing  the  new  professors' 
houses.  Of  course,  the  style  and  general  plans  of  these 
will  rest  with  me,  and  I  will  try  and  get  as  good  houses 
as  possible  for  the  money.  With  tri-weekly  mails  and 

42  A  horse  brought  from  Ohio.  —  ED. 


STUDENT  TROUBLES  195 

no  telegraphs  we  are  as  much  out  of  the  world  here  as  a 
hermit  could  desire. 

I  find  the  trees  in  full  leaf,  the  dogwood  in  blossom, 
and  the  season  about  a  month  in  advance  of  Ohio.  The 
sun  is  agreeably  warm,  but  the  evenings  are  cool  enough 
for  a  small  fire. 

The  wedding  of  Captain  Lindsey  and  daughter  of 
Judge  Boyce  came  off  some  time  since  and  Miss  Ann 
Patterson  is  now  at  the  plantation,  twenty-four  miles 
off.  She  has  visited  the  Seminary  and  two  of  the  pro 
fessors  were  so  pleased  with  her,  that  they  are  going  to 
ride  up  tomorrow.  I  shall  avail  myself  of  some  oppor 
tunity  to  call  when  she  comes  to  Alexandria.  Mrs. 
Isaacs  is  to  start  for  Washington  tomorrow  and  I  will 
ride  in  to  see  her  for  a  few  minutes  and  as  it  will  afford 
me  an  opportunity  to  register  this  letter,  I  enclose  a  hun 
dred  dollar  bank  bill.  I  can't  get  any  drafts  on  the 
North  here  now.  This  is  a  risky  mode  of  remitting 
money,  but  I  must  make  it.  Give  my  love  to  all  the 
children  and  folks  at  Lancaster. 


V.    THE  REORGANIZATION  OF  THE 
SEMINARY 

Reorganization  under  the  new  law.  More  work  for  Sherman.  His  plans 
for  his  family  to  come  south.  Meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Faculty 
resolutions  on  the  military  system.  Dr.  Vallas's  Memoir.  Circular  letter  to 
police  juries.  "Effort  to  undermine  the  military  and  utilitarian  character  of 
the  school."  Faculty  amusements.  House  building  plans.  May  Party.  Dec 
lamations.  Sherman's  lectures  on  history.  St.  Ange  cheated  in  a  horse  trade. 
John  Sherman's  New  York  speech.  Political  matters.  Plans  for  the  summer 
vacation.  Graham  objects  to  the  attack  on  the  Seminary  policy.  Bragg's 
apprehensions  on  account  of  the  Seminary.  Student  mischief.  The  Mose 
Chicken  Case.  Difficulty  of  obtaining  supplies.  Circulars  of  information  is 
sued.  National  politics  in  1860. 

Immediately  after  Sherman's  return  from  Ohio  the  Seminary 
was  reorganized  under  the  new  law.  A  new  Board  of  Super 
visors  was  appointed  and  a  new  policy  was  inaugurated,  minimiz 
ing  to  some  extent  the  military  and  scientific  work,  while  empha 
sizing  the  classical.  No  definite  plan  of  academic  government 
and  no  definite  curriculum  was  agreed  upon  before  the  end  of  the 
session,  and,  as  the  correspondence  shows,  the  uncertainty  was 
somewhat  demoralizing. 

GOVERNOR  MOORE  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  April  4,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  30th  ultimo  advising  me  of 
your  return  to  the  Seminary  was  received  this  morning, 
and  am  sure  all  concerned  are  as  happy  as  I  am  at  the 
event,  and  trust  we  can  make  it  to  your  interest  to  remain 
and  render  your  family  (if  they  accompany  you)  com 
fortable  and  happy.  .  . 

Trusting  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the  Seminary  may 
continue  to  improve,  and  the  result  of  your  labors  prove 
satisfactory  to  the  whole  country,  I  remain,  your  friend 
and  obedient  servant. 


i98  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  April  7,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  MAJOR:  I  have  just  received  the  enclosed 
letter  from  Captain  G.  W.  Smith,43  which  speaks  for 
itself.  I  agree  with  him  in  his  observations.  In  default 
of  Smith,  Lovell 44  would  be  a  very  proper  man,  pro 
vided  you  still  intend  to  resign,  but  I  hope  you  will  con 
clude  to  stay  a  while  longer. 

My  son  seems  to  be  more  and  more  pleased  with  your 
institution,  although  at  times  a  little  homesick,  but  that 
is  natural  and  I  expected  it.  .  .  When  will  your  sec 
ond  term  commence?  My  second  son  will  probably 
enter  then.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  Alexandria,  April  12, 

1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  been  pretty  busy  in  obeying 
the  orders  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  and  of  the  Aca 
demic  Board  in  writing  constantly  according  to  their 
dictation,  and  last  night  learned  with  some  surprise  that 
I  was  to  continue  to  act  as  treasurer,  bookkeeper,  etc., 
whilst  Henarie  was  to  hold  the  money.  I  have  been  in 
town  all  day  to  find  out  what  is  meant.  I  can't  see  the 
system,  though  Dr.  Smith  insists  on  its  being  carried  out 
and  expects  me  to  try  the  system.  I  can  see  very  well 
that  all  moneys  appropriated  by  the  legislature  and  that 
arising  from  the  tuition  fees  of  cadets,  should  be  appro 
priated  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and,  as  it  will  be 
paid  in  large  amounts  [it]  could  be  held  in  the  bank  at 
New  Orleans  without  risk  and  without  cost,  whereas  as 
I  now  look  at  it  you  are  to  pay  Henarie  six  hundred 

43  Later  a  Confederate  general.  —  ED. 

44  Mansfield  Lovell  a  graduate  of  West  Point  later  a  Confederate  general. 

-ED. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         199 


dollars  for  that  whilst  I  am  as  heretofore  to  ask  for 
money  to  pay  the  cadets'  wants,  supply  them  and  keep 
the  accounts. 

Here  is  a  work  that  employs  about  a  dozen  at  West 
Point,  at  least  three  at  Lexington,  Va.,  and  yet  I  must  do 
it  all.  I  can  do  it  all,  not  thoroughly  but  good  enough, 
if  the  treasurer  resides  here  and  relieves  me  of  the  ne 
cessity  of  taking  care  of  so  many  little  items  of  books, 
clothing,  and  every  species  of  things  needed  by  cadets. 
If  the  institution  be  pressed  by  want  all  of  us  can  do  ex 
tra  work,  but  this  six  hundred  dollars  now  is  absolute 
wastage,  and  negatives  the  idea  of  poverty.  Still  that  is 
none  of  my  business  and  from  present  appearances  I  see 
I  will  have  my  hands  full. 

The  atmosphere  has  changed  since  I  went  north,  and 
I  will  find  out  its  drift.  I  think  I  see  where  it  lies,  and 
I  think  I  divine  your  plan  of  defence.  Judging  from 
the  personal  nature  of  your  colleagues  and  their  fond 
ness  of  disputation  I  only  say  that  if  their  intention  be  to 
submine  our  regulations,  you  can  by  encouraging  discus 
sion  on  the  earlier  passages  cause  them  to  desist  from  a 
close  examination  of  clause  by  clause,  and  have  them 
generally  adopted  as  originally  agreed  on  by  the  com 
mittee  appointed  to  draft  them.  .  . 

If  you  can  get  the  regulations  substantially  adopted, 
and  adjourn  with  an  order  for  their  publication,  and  an 
agreement  as  to  the  arrangements  of  the  terms,  I  will  be 
willing  to  go  on  keeping  the  individual  accounts  of 
cadets  through  this  term,  but  if  my  powers  are  substan 
tially  curtailed,  or  any  overt  disposition  made  to  com 
plicate  matters  too  much  I  may  have  cause  to  regret  my 
sudden  refusal  of  the  Roelofson  proposal.  I  have  abid 
ing  faith  in  you  -  and  knowing  that  you  can  prevent 
their  meeting  for  mischief  now,  that  without  you  they 


200  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

cannot  act  at  all,  and  that  you  can  command  a  quorum 
always,  I  will  continue  to  have  faith. 

I  do  think  the  new  fence  ought  to  be  built  to  keep  out 
hogs  and  cattle,  and  because  I  made  a  distinct  point  be 
fore  the  committee  at  Baton  Rouge.  Were  you  to  make 
the  want  of  fences  next  year  a  cause  of  application  for 
more  money  it  would  be  detected.  Still  if  you  have 
postponed  it  till  after  June,  I  will  give  Ledoux  notice 
that  at  the  close  of  April,  I  will  discharge  one  and  may 
be  two  of  his  negroes,  as  all  wood-cutting  and  carrying 
has  ceased,  and  Henry  with  occasional  assistance  can 
sweep  the  galleries  and  empty  the  water.  I  will  await  the 
result  of  your  Saturday  meeting,  and  conform  thereto. 

Smith  tells  me  you  are  down  on  him  for  gallanting.  I 
ought  to  take  the  blame.  At  the  wedding  he  appointed 
a  revisit  to  the  party,  and  on  Sunday  at  church  he  asked 
my  leave  to  accompany  them  to  Mrs.  Flower  and  Dr. 
Bailey.  Miss  Patterson  is  the  daughter  of  a  particular 
friend  of  mine  in  St.  Louis.  I  gave  Smith  permission 
because  I  was  glad  to  see  him  attentive  to  that  party. 
Not  an  iota  of  duty  was  lost.  Boyd  heard  his  class.  I 
drilled  and  had  evening  parade  and  he  was  home  by 
tattoo,  and  if  we  must  conform  to  every  rumor  we  will 
lead  a  devil  of  a  life  here.  If  we  do  our  work  the  public 
ought  to  be  well  satisfied.  I  think  had  Miss  Patterson 
been  of  Rapides  Parish,  Smith  would  not  have  been 
complained  of.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  ALEXANDRIA,  April  15, 

1860. 

.  .  .  This  is  Sunday.  Some  of  the  cadets  have 
gone  to  church,  some  fishing  and  the  balance  are  walk 
ing  about.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  are  now  sitting  in 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        201 

a  large  room  only  two  removed  from  me,  and  I  hear 
them  wrangling  and  quarreling  over  points  of  discipline 
and  instruction  which  they  have  been  now  discussing 
for  two  days. 

They  have  authorized  me  to  make  plans  and  estimates 
for  the  two  houses.  And  I  expect  a  builder  to  be  out  any 
moment  to  help  me  estimate.  The  Board  approve  my 
selection  of  the  site  for  the  two  new  houses,  and  I  be 
lieve  the  one  selected  for  ours  the  best,  being  on  a  fine 
high  point,  distant  from  the  college  building  yet  over 
looking  its  grounds.  There  is  a  fine  spring  near  by. 
The  weather  continues  warm  and  excessively  dry  and  all 
are  praying  for  rain  to  bring  up  the  corn  and  cotton 
which  has  been  planted  for  a  month. 

I  have  your  several  letters  asking  the  price  of  ser 
vants,  etc.,  but  I  cannot  answer  as  all  servants  here  are 
scarce  and  most  everybody  owns  their  own.  I  suppose 
ten  dollars  a  month  will  hire  a  black  woman  but  it  is 
impossible  to  hire  a  strong  man  fit  for  field  work  at  less 
than  $25  a  month  and  board.  If  Emily  and  Gertrude 
come  with  you  we  will  still  need  a  man  and  maybe  a 
black  girl,  as  white  girls  won't  work  down  here  long. 
Still  we  can  agree  to  pay  them  a  bonus  if  they  stay  a 
year.  But  as  I  wrote  you  there  is  no  chance  of  your  com 
ing  down  for  a  long  time,  may  be  November. 

Dr.  Smith  one  of  the  supervisors,  a  physician  of  long 
standing,  says  that  October  and  November  are  the  sickly 
months.  July  and  August  though  hot  are  perfectly 
healthy.  So  that  he  favors  those  months  as  the  vacation. 
So  great  is  the  variation  of  opinion  that  I  let  them  fight 
it  out  as  it  is  proper  that  they  who  have  lived  here  all 
their  lives  should  determine  the  question.  I  hope  to  get 
the  builders  to  work  in  the  course  of  a  month  but  all 
such  things  proceed  so  slowly  here  that  I  doubt  if  we 


202  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

can  finish  this  year.    Nobody  seems  to  pay  any  attention 
to  time  or  appointments.     .     . 

Red  River  too  has  already  begun  to  fall  and  soon  will 
be  navigated  only  by  the  smallest  kind  of  boats  and  it 
will  be  next  to  impossible  to  procure  anything  from 
New  Orleans,  the  only  point  where  furniture  can  be 
had.  The  stores  in  Alexandria  contain  nothing  of  the 
kind.  Indeed  California  in  its  worst  days  had  a  better 
market  than  this  country.  There  are  no  farmers  here. 
The  planters  produce  only  cotton  and  sugar  on  a  large 
scale  and  deem  it  beneath  their  dignity  to  raise  anything 
for  market.  Some  of  the  negroes  raise  a  few  sweet  po 
tatoes,  corn,  etc.,  which  they  sell  about  Christmas  time, 
but  all  the  year  else  everything  must  come  from  New 
Orleans.  We  are  now  paying  for  corn  one  dollar  and 
ten  cents  a  bushel  and  hay  costs  about  forty-eight  dollars 
a  ton.  Everything  is  proportional,  so  that  I  doubt  if  my 
four  thousand  dollars  will  more  than  barely  maintain  us. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 
Academy,  Alexandria,  April  17,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  .  .  .  The  reason  I  am  particular 
about  this  [payment]  is  that  I  sent  the  order  for  clothing 
through  a  friend  of  mine  in  New  York  to  the  most  re 
sponsible  clothiers,  utter  strangers  to  me,  and  directed 
him  to  guarantee  payment  on  the  receipt  of  the  goods. 
I  know  that  New  Yorkers  are  punctilious  on  such  points, 
and  when  this  bill  is  paid  our  credit  must  stand  on  its 
own  bottom.  It  would  be  better  to  have  clothing  come 
from  New  Orleans,  but  as  you  remarked  an  order  sent  to 
New  Orleans  would  be  sent  to  New  York  and  we  might 
as  well  do  that  ourselves. 

On  the  supposition  that  the  first  bill  of  books  will  be 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        203 

paid  I  will  send  them  the  measures  of  our  un-uniformed 
cadets  .  .  .  and  limit  our  efforts  at  uniform  and 
military  instruction  to  that  number. 

I  went  to  town  this  morning  and  put  into  the  hands  of 
the  printer,  a  circular  letter,45  embodying  the  resolution 
of  the  Board  with  other  parts  by  myself  which  sub 
stantially  covers  the  points  of  your  letter.  .  .  These 
circular  letters  will  be  ready  Thursday  and  mailed  by 
me  in  town.  I  have  a  list  of  parishes  and  will  prepare  the 
envelopes  before  I  go  in.  I  think  I  had  better  withhold 
such  circular  letters  from  the  police  juries  to  which  I 
have  already  written,  urging  them  to  confirm  the  ap 
pointees  by  Governor  Wickliffe  now  here,  lest  it  produce 
confusion. 

Madame  Delahoussaye  has  already  sent  the  enclosed 
paper,  which,  though  informal,  evidently  is  a  committal 
on  the  part  of  the  members  of  the  police  jury  of  St. 
Mary's.  I  think  I  must  consider  him  [her  son]  as  a 
beneficiary  till  the  Board  act.  I  will  write  to  her  to  get 
the  Board  formally  to  vote  in  June  for  her  son,  to  have 
the  resolution  authenticated  by  president  and  secretary 
and  their  signatures  certified  by  the  parish  clerk  under 
seal. 

If  the  session  be  as  now  fixed,  and  I  don't  wish  to  dis 
turb  it,  we  will  need  summer  clothing- white  jackets, 
vests,  and  pants  with  straw  hats  would  be  neat  and  be 
coming,  but  a  well  fitting  unbleached  linen  sack  would 
be  better,  and  more  appropriate,  but  not  as  becoming. 
Still  I  will  not  presume  to  order  anything  more  with 
out  positive  approval  beforehand  of  the  Board  of  Su 
pervisors.  I  do  think  that  part  of  the  cadets'  money, 
not  specially  set  apart  for  tuition,  board,  washing,  and 
medical  attendance  should  be  absolutely  under  my  con- 

45  See  page  206.  —  ED. 


204  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

trol,  and  a  margin  left  over  for  a  surplus  which  we 
must  have  on  hand.  I  see  Colonel  Smith  46  has  on  hand 
eight  thousand  dollars  of  stores,  and  he  is  within  two  or 
three  days  of  a  market  whereas  we  are  months  off. 

I  think  I  had  better  wait  till  after  your  meeting  of  the 
a8th,  before  I  estimate  for  funds  needed  to  carry  them 
through  August,  but  I  will  see  that  all  know  the  pres 
ent  resolution  that  they  may  write  home  about  it.  Rob 
ertson  assailed  me  furiously  about  it  in  town  to-day,  and 
I  had  to  ward  off  his  blow  by  telling  him  that  the  matter 
was  absolutely  beyond  my  control,  and  the  act  of  his 
own  townsmen.  I  shall  expect  you  out  with  the  ladies 
on  Saturday. 

There  was  some  opposition  in  the  faculty  as  well  as  among 
the  supervisors  to  Graham's  plan  of  vesting  all  authority  in  the 
superintendent,  to  the  military  system,  and  to  the  emphasis  given 
to  scientific  studies.  Soon  after  the  passage  of  the  new  law  by 
the  legislature  the  faculty  passed  the  following  resolutions  which 
are  explained  in  part  by  the  extracts  taken  from  a  Memoir 
written  in  1864  by  Dr.  Vallas. 

FACULTY  RESOLUTION,  APRIL,  1860 

RESOLVED:  that  the  Academic  Board  respectfully  ask 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  define  the  true  nature  of 
"The  Seminary  of  Learning  and  Military  Academy," 
according  to  the  recent  act  of  the  legislature -whether 
it  is  merely  a  military  institute,  designed  for  the  promo 
tion  of  military  and  scientific  knowledge,  or  shall  the 
literary  department  be  put  on  an  equality  with  the  scien 
tific,  with  the  military  department  added  only  for  the 
sake  of  discipline  and  order? 

RESOLVED:  that  the  Academic  Board  respectfully  re 
quest  the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  define,  in  general 
terms,  under  the  recent  law  of  the  legislature,  the  rela- 

46  Of  the  Virginia  Military  Institute.  —  ED. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        205 

tions  and  duties  which  exist  between  the  superintendent 
and  other  professors. 

FROM  A  MEMOIR  BY  DR.  VALLAS 

Of  all  the  professors  it  was  only  Professor  Vallas  who 
constantly  refused  to  be  assigned  to  any  command,  to 
teach  any  military  branch  or  to  have  any  commission. 
On  account  of  this  refusal,  he  was  often  charged  with 
throwing  impediments  into  the  way  of  the  institution, 
and  had  to  meet  the  frowns  of  the  military  party. 

About  the  same  time  an  important  change  took  place 
in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Up  to  this  time  the  super 
visors  were  appointed  from  all  parts  of  the  state.  The 
new  Governor  Thomas  O.  Moore  took  a  different  course 
[and]  filled  all  the  vacancies  in  the  Board  with  his 
neighbors  and  dependents  of  this  parish,  and  this  he  did 
without  regard  to  qualification ;  and  by  doing  so  he  lay 
open  the  institution  to  all  the  untoward  influences  of  a 
village  neighborhood,  which  influences  soon  centered  in 
a  single  family. 

Two  important  questions  soon  turned  up  and  agitated 
the  faculty  and  Board  of  Supervisors  during  the  first 
session  of  the  institution.  The  first  was:  whether  all 
the  professors  stood  in  the  light  of  military  subordi 
nates  to  the  superintendent;  the  second,  whether  all  the 
professors  should  wear  a  uniform  or  not.  The  opposi 
tion  in  the  faculty  was  headed  by  Professor  Vallas,  in 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  by  Mr.  Manning;  and  both 
questions  were  decided  against  the  wishes  of  the  mili 
tary  party.  .  . 

The  circular  printed  below  is  one  sent  out  to  the  parish  police 
juries  47  by  Sherman  explaining  the  meaning  of  the  legislation  of 


47  The  parish  police  jury  of  Louisiana  corresponds  somewhat  to  the  Court 
or  Board  of  County  Commissioners  of  other  states.  —  ED. 


206  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

1860,  relating  to  the  Seminary.  The  original  is  in  French.  All 
official  notices  and  reports  of  the  Seminary  were  printed  in  both 
French  and  English. 

SHERMAN'S  CIRCULAR  TO  POLICE  JURIES 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  April  17, 1860. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  to 
communicate  to  you  their  request  that  in  nominating  a 
beneficiary  cadet  for  this  institution  .  .  .  you  make 
that  nomination  at  your  regular  meeting  in  June,  with 
the  understanding  that  the  cadet  shall  enter  this  institu 
tion  at  the  beginning  of  next  session,  that  is,  the  first  of 
November,  1860,  for  it  is  very  important  that  all  cadets 
enter  their  classes  at  the  same  time.  I  take  this  oppor 
tunity  to  say  also  that  it  will  be  well  if  you  will  send  me 
the  name  and  address  of  your  candidate  in  order  that  I 
may  communicate  with  him  in  regard  to  the  text  books 
which  he  must  study  and  the  outfit  with  which  he  should 
provide  himself  before  coming  here.  If  the  nomination 
is  made  in  June,  the  cadet  whom  you  choose  will  have 
time  to  prepare  for  admission  in  November  with  a  better 
chance  of  success  in  his  classes,  and  since  his  appoint 
ment  lasts  four  years,  it  makes  little  difference  whether 
the  appointment  dates  from  June  or  from  November. 

The  present  session  will  end  about  the  middle  of  Au 
gust.  Our  classes  began  on  the  second  day  of  last  Jan 
uary  and  are  so  far  advanced  that  a  young  man  coming 
in  now  could  not  successfully  keep  up  with  his  comrades 
nor  could  the  professors  do  justice  to  him. 

Your  candidate  should  be  between  fifteen  and  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  should  know  how  to  read  and  write 
and  should  have  a  knowledge  of  the  fundamental  prin 
ciples  of  arithmetic.  With  that  foundation  he  can,  dur 
ing  the  interval  between  his  nomination  and  the  time  for 
his  admission  here,  easily  prepare  himself  to  fulfill  the 
conditions  of  admission. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         207 
THOMAS  O.  MOORE  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

BATON  ROUGE,  April  19,  1860. 
DEAR  SIR:  Your  favor  .  .  .  was  received  this 
morning,  in  which  you  state,  "efforts  are  being  made  in 
the  Board  which  if  carried  into  effect  will  inevitably  un 
dermine  the  military  and  utilitarian  character  of  the 
school."  I  trust  such  will  not  be  the  case,  at  least  to  the 
extent  which  you  seem  to  apprehend,  as  I  have  under 
stood  there  would  be  no  opposition  to  the  military 
branch  of  the  institution,  so  it  did  not  interfere  with  the 
other  important  branches  of  education.  These  are  my 
views.  We  may  differ  as  to  how  far  the  former  may 
interfere  but  it  seems  that  some  satisfactory  and  benefi 
cial  compromise  could  be  made,  and  I  hope  will.  I 
much  fear  my  becoming  a  member  or  rather  the  pres 
ident  of  the  Board  will  not  add  to  its  usefulness,  as  my 
experience  in  such  matters,  with  but  a  very  limited  edu 
cation,  gives  me  but  little  confidence.  .  . 

The  next  letters  show  Sherman  engrossed  in  routine  work, 
planning  for  the  erection  of  a  dwelling  for  his  family  and  finding 
amusement  in  the  horse  trading  experiences  of  the  Gallic  pro 
fessor,  St.  Ange. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Saturday,  April  21,  1860. 
DEAR  GENERAL:  Pursuant  to  your  emphatic  order 
(the  wit  of  which  has  not  got  through  St.  Ange's  head 
yet,  which  you  know  is  not  the  clearest  of  our  solons 
here),  I  conveyed  it  to  Major  St.  Ange,  Smith  and 
Boyd  -  also  Dr.  Clarke.  Mr.  Boyd  really  has  no  pen 
chant  for  such  things  and  preferred  to  stay,  and  St. 
Ange  fearing  that  if  Boyd  staid  and  he  went  an  invidious 
comparison  might  be  instituted  between  them,  he  was 
loth  to  go,  but  I  found  that  he  had  a  lingering  fear  that 
your  emphatic  order  embraced  the  payment  of  twenty- 


208  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

five  dollars  which  from  former  experience  he  knew  to  be 
the  charge  for  the  ladies'  stand.  No  poor  Major  was  any 
more  befuddled  than  he  was,  and  knowing  that  fifty 
cents  was  all  he  had  in  his  pocket  I  lent  Smith  twenty 
dollars  and  told  him  to  offer  St.  Ange  ten  dollars  to  buy 
a  ticket.  Of  course  I  understood  that  you  had  provided 
tickets  at  the  places  named. 

Well  at  last  Smith,  St.  Ange  and  Doctor  Clarke  sal 
lied  forth  for  the  races  leaving  me  with  the  figuring  and 
Mr.  Boyd  at  his  class.  The  idea  of  your  styling  him 
major,  and  being  a  grave  and  serious  general  yourself, 
he  did  not  doubt  your  power  to  order  him  to  go  to  the 
races  and  to  buy  a  twenty-five  dollar  ticket.  His  little 
composure  was  all  gone.  When  at  the  ferry,  it  seems 
Smith  met  some  messenger  from  you  with  a  note  in  a 
lady's  hand  writing  amounting  to  a  countermand.  Smith 
returned  to  the  Seminary  forthwith  -  the  Doctor  got 
back  at  4  p.m.  and  St.  Ange  not  till  8  a.m.  to-day,  driving 
a  new  horse  in  a  neat  buggy.  It  seems  he  disposed  of  a 
little  seventy-five  dollar  tackey  and  bought  horse  and 
buggy  for  two  hundred  fifty  dollars.  He  must  have 
bought  on  credit  for  he  had  no  money. 

Mills  came  out  at  last.  He  and  I  figured  on  a  good 
house  until  we  got  above  our  money.  We  then  tried  to 
cut  off  here  and  there  but  at  last  abandoned  it.  We 
then  settled  on  two  plans  -  either  of  which  can  be  made 
handsome  and  good  enough  for  the  money  -  and  another 
better  house  admitting  of  enlargement  in  case  it  should 
ever  become  necessary,  substituting  in  lieu  of  a  wing  a 
temporary  frame-kitchen  like  your  negro  quarters.  I 
will  try  and  have  three  plans  for  your  Board  next  Sat 
urday,  and  as  the  committee  is  absent  it  might  be  right 
and  proper  that  the  Board  resume  the  power  thus  dele 
gated  and  act  themselves.  The  river  is  already  so  low, 
that  I  am  of  opinion  that,  in  building,  this  year  is  lost, 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         209 

and  that  if  procrastination  and  delay  are  necessary  here 
that  we  had  better  let  the  matter  take  its  natural  course, 
and  the  buildings  be  finished  when  they  are  finished.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  Alexandria,  April  26, 
1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  will  send  as  usual  for  the  mail 
to-day  and  I  suppose  you  will  expect  to  hear  from  me. 
There  is  nothing  new.  All  things  move  along.  We 
have  a  new  cadet,  No.  61,  Cadet  Bogan,  nephew  of 
Bogan  of  Alexandria.  I  expect  the  Board  on  Saturday. 
I  have  made  plans  and  elevations  of  a  very  good  house 
that  Mills  will  undertake  to  erect  by  October  15,  at 
$5,000.  As  this  matter  is  of  much  importance  and  in 
terest  maybe,  if  you  have  room  it  would  be  well  to  pick 
him  up  and  bring  him  out.  There  are  one  or  two  slight 
modifications  in  his  plan  that  I  would  make  and  his 
assent  should  be  obtained.  It  will  be  cutting  close  to 
finish  well  at  our  figures.  We  at  one  time  thought  of  a 
plan  that  would  admit  of  additions  and  alterations  as  we 
became  better  able,  but  on  reflection  I  concluded  it 
would  be  wisest  to  adhere  to  the  idea  of  finishing  abso 
lutely  for  the  money  appropriated,  as  new  wants  will 
arise  faster  than  our  means. 

As  for  the  treasurership,  until  you  intend  to  employ 
assistants  to  mathematics  and  English  to  whom  could 
be  assigned  the  duties  of  treasurer  and  librarian,  I  would 
prefer  to  wag  along  as  now,  getting  Dr.  Clarke  and  the 
drummer  to  help  me  in  posting.  I  don't  think  you  can 
waste  a  cent  on  any  sinecure  office.  You  know  in  large 
bills,  there  is  no  trouble  in  paying -it  is  in  the  small 
items  which  [are]  necessarily  innumerable. 

Some  days  ago  some  cadets  handed  me  a  subscription- 
list  for  a  "May  party."  I  returned  it  to  them  because 


210  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

the  sums  were  unequal  and  too  large  -  from  one  dollar 
to  five  dollars.  I  explained  to  a  few  of  the  oldest  cadets 
that  I  would  not  oppose  a  moderate  May  party  on  a 
Saturday  or  maybe  of  a  Friday  night  after  the  week's 
study  was  over,  but  all  concerned  must  be  equal,  and 
share  alike,  and  the  expense  should  not  exceed  a  dollar 
or  dollar  and  half  each,  but  that  no  further  steps  should 
be  taken  till  Saturday  that  I  might  submit  the  financial 
question  to  the  Board. 

Last  night  Gus  Jarreau  brought  me  out  a  printed  copy 
of  the  invitation  for  Friday  next  two  weeks.  They  are 
crazy  to  show  their  uniforms  to  the  girls  and  as  they 
have  really  made  good  progress  in  study  and  drill,  and 
cannot  have  a  party  at  examination  -  midsummer- I 
think  we  had  better  permit  it.  I  can  control  the  invi 
tations  and  expense,  and  see  they  are  proper  and  moder 
ate.  My  opinion  is  that  the  studies  and  military  exer 
cises  being  regular  and  thorough,  relaxation  and  amuse 
ment  outside  thereof  will  be  salutary.  I  hope  the  Board 
will  take  this  view  of  it,  as  it  is  very  important  that  these 
cadets  when  they  go  forth  should  be  content  and  enthus 
iastic  in  favor  of  our  system.  Some  may  think  this 
wrong  but  too  much  study  made  Jack  a  dull  boy. 

Every  Friday  evening  "all  hands"  attend  in  the  large 
section  room  to  declaim.  After  they  are  through  I  gen 
erally  speak  half  an  hour  or  so  on  some  interesting  piece 
of  history.  They  take  great  interest  in  it;  next  Friday 
I  must  in  connection  with  my  last,  approach  and  maybe 
recount  the  leading  events  of  the  Conquest  of  California. 
Although  not  liking  a  critical  audience,  if  you  happen 
to  be  here  on  Friday  night,  you  may  be  admitted,  but  if  a 
critical  audience  ever  comes,  I'll  produce  St.  Ange,  the 
orator  of  our  institution. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        211 

The  elegant  Black  of  St.  Ange  is  a  "sell."  After  his 
drive  to  Judge  Boyce's  and  back  he  struck  dead  lame. 
St.  Ange  is  bound  to  have  a  lawsuit  because  he  bought 
under  warrantee  from  one  Levy  of  Alexandria  and  gave 
his  note,  negotiable  of  course,  at  six  months  for  two  hun 
dred  fifty  dollars.  His  letter  to  Levy  is  a  masterpiece  - 
but  I  doubt  much  if  it  produce  any  other  effect  than  to 
give  him  time  to  transfer  his  negotiable  paper.  I  would 
give  one  hundred  dollars  to  be  free  to  take  Levy's  case  - 
put  St.  Ange  on  the  stand  and  make  him  describe  his 
drive  to  Judge  Boyce's  and  back  -  he  first  described  the 
journey  as  enough  to  kill  any  horse,  but  now  that  his 
horse  is  lame  he  insists  it  was  a  sweet  ride  and  not  enough 
to  hurt  a  colt.  There  is  plenty  of  fun  in  the  cause.  Tell 
the  lawyers  the  case  is  worth  five  hundred  dollars  cash. 

To  his  brother,  John,  Major  Sherman  wrote  in  April  ask 
ing  for  a  copy  of  a  speech  made  by  the  former  in  New  York, 
and  "if  national  I  will  have  it  circulated."  John  Sherman  sent 
the  speech  stating  that  it  contained  "a  good  deal  of  bitterness, 
natural  enough,  but  which  you  will  not  approve."  The  speech 
was  not  "circulated"  but  given  to  the  "Southern  Rights"  mem 
ber  of  the  faculty  —  Professor  Boyd  —  among  whose  papers  it  was 
found  fifty  years  later.  To  his  brother  and  brother-in-law 
Sherman  usually  wrote  freely  on  political  matters. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,  May  8,  1860. 
.  .  .  There  is  one  point  which  you  concede  to  the 
Southern  States,  perfect  liberty  to  prefer  slavery  if  they 
choose;  still,  you  hit  the  system  as  though  you  had  feel 
ing  against  it.  I  know  it  is  difficult  to  maintain  perfect 
impartiality.  In  all  new  cases,  it  is  well  you  should 
adhere  to  your  conviction  to  exclude  slavery  because  you 
prefer  free  labor.  That  is  your  perfect  right,  and  I  was 


212  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

glad  to  see  that  you  disavowed  any  intention  to  molest 
slavery  in  the  district. 

Now,  so  certain  and  inevitable  is  it  that  the  physical 
and  political  power  of  this  nation  must  pass  into  the 
hands  of  the  free  states,  that  I  think  you  can  well  afford 
to  take  things  easy,  bear  the  buffets  of  a  sinking  dynasty, 
and  even  smile  at  their  impotent  threats.  You  ought 
not  to  expect  the  southern  politicians  to  rest  easy  when 
they  see  and  feel  their  crisis  so  long  approaching,  and 
so  certain  to  come  absolutely  at  hand.  .  .  But  this 
year's  presidential  election  will  be  a  dangerous  one ;  may 
actually  result  in  Civil  War,  though  I  still  cannot  be 
lieve  the  South  would  actually  secede  in  the  event  of  the 
election  of  a  Republican.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS  EWING  JR. 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 
Academy,  Alexandria,  May  n,  1860. 

DEAR  TOM:  I  have  received  one  or  two  Leaven- 
worth  papers  reminding  me  of  the  place,  which  I  have 
read  with  interest,  and  I  see  that  you  and  McCook  48  are 
still  at  work.  I  hope  business  goes  prosperously ;  I  sup 
pose  the  Democratic  Party  does  not  love  Kansas  or  its 
memory,  and  that  some  pretext  will  be  sought  out  and 
found  to  keep  her  out  of  the  Union  till  after  the  presi 
dential  election.  The  adjournment  of  the  Convention 
in  Charleston  without  a  platform  or  nomination  looks 
like  a  break  up  of  the  Democratic  Party,  and  I  have  my 
fears  of  the  consequences. 

I  know  that  our  general  government  has  not  the  moral 
or  physical  power  to  subdue  a  rebellion,  and  should  one 
be  attempted  by  Alabama,  South  Carolina  or  other  ex 
treme  states  I  fear  the  consequences.  Of  course  I  would 
advocate  the  policy  of  force,  for  if  a  state  may  at  its 

48  Ewing  and  McCook  were  former  law  partners  of  Sherman.  —  ED. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        213 

pleasure  withdraw,  leaving  a  gap  in  the  seacoast  or 
frontier,  the  government  would  not  be  worth  preserving. 

People  here  are  somewhat  troubled,  they  regard  the 
Republican  Party  as  hostile  to  their  paramount  inter 
ests,  and  their  politicians  might  stir  them  up  to  resist 
ance  in  the  case  of  the  election  of  an  extreme  Republi 
can.  I  hope  that  party  will  [not]  nominate  Seward, 
but  take  up  some  man  as  McLean  or  Bates,  who  though 
Republicans  are  moderate  men.  I  suppose  your  poli 
tical  success  being  based  on  the  Republican  success  you 
will  go  in  heart  and  hand  to  sustain  the  Chicago  nom 
inee,  be  he  whom  he  may.  John  is  of  course  committed 
beyond  hope.  That  the  physical  and  political  power 
remains  with  the  North  is  now  manifest,  but  I  hope  that 
moderate  counsels  will  prevail  until  that  fact  be  more 
fixed  and  conceded. 

I  am  getting  along  here  very  well,  we  have  sixty-two 
cadets.  Vacation  is  fixed  for  August  20  to  November  i. 
I  think  I  shall  go  for  Ellen  in  September  and  re 
turn  in  October.  I  have  just  contracted  for  a  good 
house  to  be  built  by  October  15.  Our  institution  is  act 
ing  up  to  the  expectations  of  the  most  sanguine,  and  the 
belief  is  that  next  year  we  will  have  one  hundred  fifty 
a  number  about  as  great  as  we  can  accommodate. 

Thus  far  with  the  exception  of  a  couple  of  weeks  in 
April  our  weather  is  cool  and  pleasant.  I  still  wear 
woolen  clothes  and  sleep  under  a  pair  of  blankets,  but 
this  is  unusual  and  the  crops,  sugar,  cotton,  and  corn  are 
very  backward.  .  . 

The  following  letters  relate  to  Sherman's  plans  in  behalf  of 
the  Seminary  which  he  wishes  carried  out  during  the  summer 
vacation,  and  to  the  fear  of  Bragg  and  Graham  that  the  new 
Board  of  Supervisors  will  reverse  the  military  and  utilitarian 
policy  of  the  first  board. 


214  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  ALEXANDRIA,  May  23, 
1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  .  .  .  Paid  for  the  straw  hats, 
and  all  outstanding  matters,  leaving  me  enough  to  carry 
me  till  the  new  instalments  are  called  for  from  the  par 
ents,  which  I  will  now  take  in  hand,  first  having  com 
pleted  "posting"  all  accounts.  Yesterday  befell  me  an 
accident,  which  compels  me  to  ask  you  for  a  duplicate 
of  the  check  you  sent  me  for  my  pay  for  April.  I  did 
not  ask  for  the  check  as  I  was  waiting  for  this  month  to 
expire  so  as  to  get  two  months  at  once.  But  the  check 
you  sent  me  is  lost,  and  lest  you  may  suppose  me  careless 
I  will  explain. 

For  the  first  time  I  succeeded  in  getting  Ledoux  to 
ride  over  the  road.  I  put  your  envelope  with  the  checks 
in  my  pocket  -  and  rode  in  with  Ledoux,  examining  the 
road  he  wants,  which  lies  to  the  east  and  south  of  his 
house.  A  straight  line  goes  I  think  full  three  hundred 
yards  to  the  west  of  his  house.  Still  we  rode  over  it 
carefully.  I  was  in  town,  paid  Robertson  for  hats  and 
other  little  bills,  put  the  other  check  (of  course  not  yet 
endorsed)  in  an  envelope  along  with  receipts  and  came 
out  at  midday  taking  P.  along.  We  rode  along,  around 
and  across  Rocky  Bayou  and  I  only  am  thankful  that 
I  got  out  with  any  clothes.  My  horse  left  hair  enough 
to  mark  the  trail  and  among  other  things  lost  was  this 
envelope  with  contents.  I  have  been  thinking  all  day 
to  retrace  steps  and  look  for  it,  but  think  it  would  be 
impossible  and  therefore  I  ask  simply  a  duplicate  of  the 
same  check.  I  will  write  a  note  to  Mr.  Davis,  who 
knows  my  signature  perfectly  to  caution  his  cashier 
against  the  original,  should  it  have  fallen  into  wrong 
hands,  and  a  forged  endorsement  attempted. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         215 

You  need  be  in  no  hurry  about  this,  but  as  you  have 
occasion  to  send  to  Whittington  49  for  other  checks,  ask 
his  signature  to  the  duplicate.  Be  sure  to  write  "Dup 
licate"  in  red  ink  if  you  have  it  across  the  face  of  the 
check. 

Whittington  spoke  to  me  about  escorting  his  daughter 
north  this  summer.  I  don't  know  that  I  accepted  it 
with  sufficient  vim.  It  would  afford  me  great  pleasure 
to  do  that  for  him -and  there  is  a  fitness  in  it.  Mrs. 
Sherman  is  a  particular  friend  of  the  Lady  Prioress, 
your  sister. 

Lancaster  is  on  the  way  to  Washington  and  I  must  go 
to  Washington  to  make  a  strong*  quota  of  arms  for  1861, 
which  I  think  Governor  Moore  and  the  Adjutant-gen 
eral  Grivot  have  promised  us  positively.  I  have  asked 
the  governor  to  place  in  my  possession  the  usual  requisi 
tions  and  receipts,  or  to  commission  me  to  receipt  for 
the  quota  of  arms  of  1861  and  I  will  during  vacation, 
without  charge  to  state  or  Seminary  go  to  Washington 
and  try  to  get  them  in  time  for  our  November  opening. 
I  must  go  to  New  York  about  clothing. 

Therefore  I  can  escort  Miss  Whittington,  with  per 
fect  safety  and  without  additional  expense.  Of  course 
every  step  of  the  journey  is  as  familiar  to  me  as  the  road 
hence  to  your  house  -  indeed  more  so.  I  will  not  how 
ever  be  able  to  leave  till  a  week  or  so  after  cadets  are 
gone  as  I  take  it  then  there  will  be  many  things  for  me 
to  see  to,  and  everybody  else  will  run  at  the  drop  of  the 
curtain.  Vallas  may  be  excepted. 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  GOVERNOR  MOORE 

TYRONE  PLANTATION,  May  26,  1860. 
DEAR  SIR:     .     .     .    As  to  the  "satisfactory  and  bene- 

49  A  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  —  ED. 

*  So  written  in  letter.     There  is  evidently  an  omission  here.  —  ED. 


216  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

ficial  compromise"  which  you  suggest,  all  compromises 
are  temporary  expedients,  and  I  never  have  seen  a  tem 
porary  expedient  resorted  to  that  did  not  result  in  per 
manent  trouble.  When  a  thing  is  right  adhere  to  it  as 
right,  and  you  avoid  much  trouble.  In  the  case  under 
our  consideration,  a  very  full  Board,  with  two  dissent 
ing  voices,  determined  that  this  school  should  be  "a  lit 
erary  and  scientific  school,  under  a  military  system  of 
government,  on  a  program  and  plan  similar  to  that  of 
the  Virginia  Military  Institute."  The  public  sentiment 
of  the  state  has  sanctioned  this,  the  voice  of  the  legisla 
ture  has  ratified  it,  every  application  for  professorship 
in  it  was  made  with  a  distinct  knowledge  that  this  was 
to  be  its  character;  and  because  this  was  to  be  its  char 
acter,  is  it  right,  proper,  just,  in  any  sense  whatever, 
that  a  constant  warfare  of  side  blows  should  be  kept  up 
against  the  system  adopted,  thus  forever  keeping  the 
minds  of  these  most  intimately  connected  with  it,  and 
most  immediately  interested  in  the  institution,  in  a  state 
of  doubt  and  uncertainty?  If  things  are  to  be  constant 
ly  changed,  how  is  there  to  be  any  stability?  What  is 
the  use  of  the  shadow  of  anything  if  there  be  no  sub 
stance  to  it? 

The  circumstance  to  which  I  had  most  particular  ref 
erence  in  my  letter  of  i6th  ult.  and  which  incited  me  to 
that  letter,  was  the  effort  made,  and  still  pending,  in  the 
Board  to  declare  that  these  professors  who  do  not  teach 
any  purely  military  branch  are  not  under  the  military 
government  of  the  superintendent,  but  stand  to  him  only 
in  the  relation  of  professors  to  a  president  of  an  ordinary 
college,  coupled  with  a  right  of  their  "instructing"  the 
superintendent  to  do  a  thing,  thus  creating  two  kinds 
of  power,  and  two  kinds  of  government  in  one  institu 
tion. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        217 

I  do  not  apprehend  that  you  and  I  differ  at  all  in  our 
"views"  as  to  what  shall  be  taught  in  the  school.  I  de 
sire  to  have  everything  taught  that  is  taught  at  the  Vir 
ginia  School,  which  comprehends  everything  necessary 
to  a  useful,  practical  education.  In  addition  to  what 
is  taught  there  I  would  have  Spanish  taught  here,  as 
being  both  a  utility  and  an  accomplishment,  but  I  would 
have  neither  Greek  nor  Hebrew  taught  here  (neither 
being  taught  there),  at  least  until  the  educational  wants 
of  the  people  of  the  state  require  it,  because,  useful  to 
but  few,  they  take  too  much  time  from  studies  of  greater 
utility.  There  are  plenty  of  other  schools  where  those 
can  go  who  desire  to  acquire  a  finished  classical  educa 
tion.  There  is  no  school  in  the  state,  and  but  few  out 
of  it,  of  the  utilitarian  character  that  we  desire  to  give 
to  this  one,  where  those  arts  and  sciences  shall  be  taught 
which  are  of  practical  use  in  the  every  day  employ 
ments  of  life,  together  with  a  fair  degree  of  useful  liter 
ature. 

Still  in  deference  to  the  wishes  and  opinions  of  the 
few,  the  professor  of  English  and  ancient  languages  is 
required  to  teach  Greek  to  those  who  desire  it;  yet  in  an 
institution  where  there  is  a  regular  routine  of  studies, 
duties,  and  hours,  optional  studies,  as  a  part  of  the 
course,  are  impracticable.  They  may  be  pursued  in 
private,  but  uanvoidably  throw  everything  out  of  gear 
if  attempted  in  the  course.  Hence  the  Professor  of  an 
cient  languages  advises  that  Greek  be  either  made  com 
pulsory  on  all  alike,  or  else  omitted  altogether.  Eng 
lish  and  Latin  are  enough  for  one  man  to  teach.  .  . 
How  many  of  the  boys  of  Louisiana  want  to  learn 
Greek?  or  will  go  to  an  institution  at  all  where  they  will 
be  compelled  to  study  it? 


218  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

What  I  am  solicitous  about,  however,  is  that  the  clas 
sic  studies  should  not  be  given  a  preponderance  over 
the  scientific,  and  that  the  military  system  of  govern 
ment  for  the  institution  should  be  clearly  and  entirely 
maintained.  This  thing  of  elevating  the  standard  of 
education  in  our  state,  giving  it  a  utilitarian  character, 
and  making  it  attractive  and  attainable  at  home,  has 
long  occupied  my  thoughts  -  the  past  five  years  of  my 
life  have  been  devoted  to  it  -  it  has  been  the  subject  of  a 
good  deal  of  study  and  of  considerable  correspondence 
with  me.  .  . 

BRAXTON  BRAGG  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

LAFOURCHE  NEAR  THIBODAUX,  June  14,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  SHERMAN  :  Your  letter  has  been  too  long 
without  a  reply,  but  procrastination  steals  on  us  imper 
ceptibly.  My  time  at  home  has  been  in  fragments  only 
for  the  whole  year,  and  not  having  been  accustomed  to 
manage  my  own  business  by  a  proxy  it  annoys  me  no 
little.  Even  now  I  am  worrying  over  matters  of  detail 
so  as  to  have  things  ready  that  I  may  leave  home  for  a 
few  weeks  for  my  health.  A  short  trip  to  the  moun 
tains  after  five  years  here  is  advised  for  me.  By  i$th 
July  I  shall  be  off  to  be  absent  two  months. 

Parts  of  your  letter  caused  me  pain,  for  I  clearly 
foresee  the  downfall  of  the  Seminary  if  Smith  50  suc 
ceeds.  All  such  efforts  under  abstract  theorists  have 
gone  down  with  the  curses  of  their  patrons  and  a  loss  of 
the  endowments.  On  the  contrary  I  never  had  a  doubt 
of  perfect  success  under  practical  common  sense  men. 
I  fear  that  Smith  is  backed  by  Governor  Moore,  and 
though  both  of  them  may  mean  well,  neither  has  any 
knowledge  of  education  or  mental  training ;  but  they  are 
governed  by  abstract  theories  which  no  reasoning  can 

50  Dr.  S.  A.  Smith,  who  wanted  to  model  the  Seminary  after  the  University 
of  Virginia.  -  ED. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY        219 

reach.  Nothing  ever  brought  Smith  to  yield  as  far  as  he 
did  last  winter  but  down  right  abuse  from  some  half 
dozen  of  your  friends  at  Taylor's  table.  Taylor  and 
Goode  both  told  him  plainly  they  would  take  active 
measures  to  abolish  the  whole  thing  if  he  did  not  give  up 
his  University  theories. 

I  pray  that  you  may  be  successful  for  your  own  sake, 
and  because  I  believe  it  the  only  institution  which  will 
succeed  in  this  country.  Friend  Graham  writes  me  he 
has  suggested  my  name  to  the  governor  for  the  appoint 
ment  of  supervisor.  I  believe  it  will  not  succeed. 
Where  Dr.  Smith  got  his  authority  for  saying  I  would 
not  accept  I  do  not  know.  Neither  to  him  nor  any  oth 
er  man  did  I  ever  say  so.  Upon  the  contrary,  I  thought 
the  governor  ought  to  have  offered  me  the  appointment 
when  the  legislature  with  so  much  unanimity  made  it  a 
"Military  Academy."  I  would  then  have  accepted,  in 
deed  desired  it.  But  no  opinion  was  ever  expressed  to 
anyone  on  the  subject.  Nothing  could  have  induced  me 
to  appear  in  the  light  of  seeking  a  position  of  honor. 

Now  I  doubt  if  I  could  consistently  accept.  Hold 
ing  two  offices  -  trifles  it's  true  -  in  my  parish  -  Levee 
Inspector  and  School  Director  -  my  time  is  all  occupied. 

If  you  yet  have  any  organization  or  definite  regula 
tions  let  me  hear.  The  commencement  and  end  of  your 
academic  year,  times  of  examinations,  vacations,  if  any, 
etc.  Our  police  jury  gave  my  young  friend  Perkins  the 
appointment  from  this  parish.  I  don't  know  that  they 
will  send  you  any  notice.  The  note  I  enclosed  him  is 
official  from  the  president  of  the  jury. 

I  have  heard  nothing  as  yet  from  the  old  Battery.51 
When  in  Washington  this  summer  I  will  see  Col.  Craig52 
and  try  to  effect  the  object. 

51  Bragg  was  trying  to  get  for  the  Seminary  his  Buena  Vista  battery.  —  ED. 

52  Chief  of  Ordinance,  United  States  Army.  -  ED. 


220  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

When  in  New  Orleans  in  May  last  I  met  by  accident 
with  our  old  friend  Steptoe.  Sadly  changed,  poor  fel 
low,  and  still  more  sadly  situated.  He  was  on  his  way 
home  from  Cuba,  where  he  had  spent  the  winter  nursing 
a  charming  wife,  far  gone  with  the  consumption  and  he 
is  himself  a  sad  victim  to  the  same  insidious  disease.  It 
was  a  sad  but  pleasant  meeting,  so  unexpected  to  both 
of  us.  He  has  resigned. 

I  will  write  to  Friend  Graham  soon. 

The  student  outbreak  of  February  did  not  end  such  troubles. 
Toward  the  close  of  the  first  session  Sherman  was  forced  to  solve 
a  problem  involving  the  peculiar  student  code  of  honor.  There 
were  no  further  serious  troubles  during  this  session. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  Alexandria,  June  16, 
1860. 

SlR:  It  is  proper  I  should  announce  to  you  my  pro 
posed  course  in  relation  to  the  affairs  at  the  spring.  The 
wasting  of  water,  the  ducking  the  negro,  and  hiding  his 
buckets,  are  small  things  in  themselves,  but  still  if  al 
lowed  cadets  will  let  who  pleases  them  take  water  and 
no  body  else.  Next  with  regard  to  stable,  houses,  wood, 
and  all  other  Seminary  property.  Obstructing  the  ser 
vant  was  a  "violence;"  the  perpetrators  should  be  pun 
ished,  but  the  cadets  think  it  is  mean  to  tell  on  each  other. 

Two  are  dismissed  not  for  that  act  simply,  but  be 
cause  they  are  in  all  scrapes  and  don't  tell  the  truth.  I 
have  come  to  a  new  set  who  won't  tell  because  it  is 
thought  mean  to  tell  on  one  another.  Campbell  and 
Ringgold  now  are  willing  to  tell,  but  I  don't  want  the 
facts  from  them,  but  first  from  Stafford,  next  from  Hil- 
lan  and  so  on  in  order.  Stafford  admits  he  was  there, 
knows  all  about  it  but  won't  tell.  He  is  in  arrest.  There 
are  no  disputed  facts,  but  simply  our  wheels  are  locked, 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         221 

he  will  not  tell.  I  have  again  and  again  explained  to 
him  the  inevitable  consequence  but  he  goes  farther  and 
says  even  if  his  father  advise  to  the  contrary  he  will  not 
tell.  Unless  you  order  otherwise  after  giving  his  father 
full  notice  he  too  must  go.  I  have  given  Hillan  notice 
that  unless  Stafford  tell,  he  must,  that  I  must  know  the 
truth  be  it  better  or  worse  than  I  conceive,  and  that 
the  perpetrators  must  bear  that  measure  of  punishment 
they  deserve  for  obstructing  the  operations  of  the  Mess 
Hall,  and  for  disobedience  of  orders,  in  not  answering 
pertinent  questions. 

My  orders  on  the  6th  of  June  published  on  parade 
and  well  discussed  in  the  "Mose  Chicken  Case"  were  in 
these  words :  "The  superintendent  will  call  on  no  cadet 
to  expose  the  little  peccadillos  of  his  fellow,  but  when 
these  peccadillos  amount  to  violence,  breaking  the  laws 
of  the  state,  and  insults  to  superiors,  the  case  is  different 
and  it  should  be  the  pride  of  every  cadet  to  help  and 
check  these  things,  for  they  aim  at  a  destruction  of  the 
institution  itself.  There  is  a  wide  difference  in  the  two 
classes  of  cases.  Older  and  better  informed  are  now 
cautioned  against  being  drawn  into  the  custom  of  con 
cealing  real  wrongs  and  outrages,  because  it  looks  like 
'tattling.'  Mischievous  cadets  will  try  to  establish  this 
rule,  because  it  will  shelter  them  in  their  mischief." 

The  rule  is  now  established,  and  the  question  arises 
shall  it  be  the  rule  of  this  honorable  institution  that  ca 
dets  may  steal  and  rob,  and  plunder,  trespass  on  the 
premises  of  neighbors,  combined  in  all  sorts  of  outrages 
called  by  them  mischief,  and  when  we  trace  it  to  the 
very  lookers  on,  they  can  answer  -  we  saw  it,  but  we  did 
it  not  ourselves  and  are  restrained  by  a  sense  of  honor 
from  tattling  on  our  fellows.  In  the  case  in  hand - 
Ringgold  and  Campbell  did  it  not  -  of  course  -  Stafford 


222  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

and  Hillan,  very  intelligent  clever  boys  -  yea  more,  saw 
it  all,  admit  it,  but  no!  the  cadets  think  it  wrong  to  tell 
on  one  another. 

Now  I  conceive  I  am  armed  with  full  power  to  do 
right.  This  is  a  state  institution,  we  must  be  above 
wrong.  The  truly  penitent  shall  never  appeal  to  me  in 
vain,  but  hypocrisy  and  falsehood  shall,  when  I  can,  be 
spotted  and  blotted  out.  Ringgold  and  Campbell  are 
dismissed.  Stafford  must  follow  or  tell.  Same  of  Hil 
lan,  and  same  of  all  who  were  there.  We  have  a  right 
to  know  the  truth  and  must  have  it.  'Tis  useless  longer 
to  postpone  this  issue.  Have  I  your  personal  and  offi 
cial  sanction? 

P.S.     All  the  circulars  issued  to  appointees. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  June  28,  1860. 

.  .  .  Last  week  I  dismissed  summarily  two  cadets 
of  good  families  and  large  connexions.  One  has  ap 
pealed  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  who  may  be  weak 
enough  to  yield  to  such  influence.  And  if  they  do  it 
will  severely  weaken  my  power  and  influence  and  may 
shake  my  faith  in  my  hold  on  their  confidence.  They 
meet  on  Saturday.  This  is  Thursday  and  I  will  then 
see  whether  I  am  to  govern  here  or  be  governed  by  the 
cast  off  boys  of  rich  planters. 

So  well  impressed  are  all  gentlemen  here  of  the  neces 
sity  of  some  restraint  on  the  boys,  who  have  been  in 
dulged  at  home  to  an  unlimited  extent,  that  I  doubt  not 
they  will  approve  my  acts,  but  like  all  deliberative 
bodies  they  may  take  some  half  way  course  and  recom 
mend  me  to  receive  them  back  on  their  promising  refor 
mation.  I  will  not  do  so  unless  they  command  me,  which 
they  have  a  right  to  do. 

We  will  celebrate  the  4th  of  July  by  a  cadet  oration 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         223 

and  Declaration  of  Independence,  etc.,  and  our  examin 
ation  July  30  and  31  will  be  celebrated  by  a  large  at 
tendance. 

The  weather  has  been  warm  but  never  as  warm  as  at 
St.  Louis  or  in  Ohio.  The  summers  here  are  long,  but 
the  proximity  to  the  sea  gives  us  the  same  air  as  we  felt 
off  Cuba  which  I  think  perfect.  Indeed  I  don't  object 
to  the  summers  here.  All  are  well  and  healthy  and 
there  is  no  apprehension  of  epidemic.  These  always 
originate  in  New  Orleans  and  spread  by  the  steamboats 
so  that  here  they  always  have  full  warning  and  can  take 
due  precaution.  Take  the  year  all  round  this  must  be  a 
healthy  place. 

The  only  drawbacks  and  they  are  serious  are  servants 
and  marketing.  All  here  own  their  slaves  and  there  are 
properly  speaking  no  servants  for  hire.  White  girls  or 
boys  will  not  come  from  New  Orleans  though  in  time 
they  may.  All  groceries  and  meats  must  come  from 
New  Orleans  -  the  grass  is  so  poor  that  sheep  and  cattle 
are  skeletons  and  milk  exceedingly  scarce.  Goat  milk 
will  be  better.  This  year  the  drought  has  been  unbear 
able  destroying  all  gardens,  but  the  season  is  so  long  that 
they  can  plant  two  or  three  times.  The  soil  on  the  river 
bottom  is  very  perfect,  here  in  the  pine  hills  as  poor  as 
poverty  itself.  Still  by  care  we  can  make  lettuce,  pota 
toes  sweet  and  Irish,  beans,  peas  and  such  things  when 
the  season  favors.  There  are  no  market  gardens;  the 
negro  slaves  have  small  patches  which  they  are  allowed 
to  cultivate  and  sell  off -but  these  are  all  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river.  .  . 

In  June,  1860,  the  authorities  sent  out  appointments  to 
scholarships  for  the  next  session  and  at  the  same  time  Sherman 
framed  circulars  to  be  distributed  for  general  information. 
These  are  useful  to  throw  light  on  internal  arrangements  at  the 


224  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Seminary.     In  the  second  circular  the  omitted  portions  contain 
information  embraced  in  the  preceding  circular. 

CIRCULAR  OF  JUNE  15,  1860 

In  answer  to  the  very  numerous  inquiries  addressed 
to  me,  I  have  obtained  from  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
the  necessary  authority  to  make  this  Circular  for  gen 
eral  information. 

This  institution  is  in  part  maintained  from  a  fund 
held  for  its  benefit  in  trust  by  the  state,  and  also  by  direct 
appropriation  on  the  part  of  the  legislature.  It  is  re 
quired  by  law  to  educate  fifty-three  cadets,  for  and  on 
account  of  the  state,  and  we  are  prepared  to  undertake 
the  education  and  training  of  about  one  hundred  young 
gentlemen,  other  than  those  before  referred  to  as  state 
cadets. 

The  next  term  will  commence  on  the  ist  day  of  No 
vember,  1860;  and  all  who  present  themselves  in  person 
at  the  Seminary  between  the  29th  day  of  October  and 
the  ist  day  of  November,  with  or  without  the  formality 
of  a  previous  appointment,  will  be  examined  and,  if 
found  qualified,  will  be  assigned  to  rooms  and  classes 
and  at  once  enter  upon  their  studies  and  duties.  The 
conditions  of  admission  are:  that  each  applicant  shall 
be  between  fifteen  and  twenty-one  years  of  age,  of  good 
moral  character  and  free  from  any  infectious  or  con 
tagious  disease;  he  must  be  able  to  read  and  write  the 
English  language  well,  and  to  perform,  with  facility 
and  accuracy,  the  operations  of  addition,  subtraction, 
multiplication,  and  division,  vulgar  and  decimal  frac 
tions,  and  simple  and  compound  proportion. 

After  admission  a  printed  copy  of  the  regulations 
will  be  placed  in  his  hands,  and  he  will  be  required  to 
conform  to  them  strictly.  The  greatest  regularity  in  all 
duties  and  recitations  will  be  enforced,  and  every  vio- 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         225 

lation  of  the  regulations  will  be  punished  by  marks  of 
demerits,  one  hundred  of  which  for  a  term  of  six  months, 
will  be  punished  with  dismissal.  Any  great  disorder, 
disobedience  or  other  irregularity,  endangering  the  hon 
or,  reputation  or  safety  of  the  Institution  itself,  will  be 
followed  by  dismissal.  But  every  facility  will  be  af 
forded  to  the  obedient  and  studious  cadet  to  obtain  a 
good  education. 

Each  cadet  will  be  expected  to  bring  from  his  home  a 
good  trunk,  seven  good  shirts,  four  pairs  of  drawers, 
seven  pairs  of  cotton  socks,  two  pairs  of  good  shoes  or 
boots,  six  pocket  handkerchiefs,  four  pairs  of  white 
drilling  pants,  two  pairs  of  white  Berlin  gloves,  six 
towels,  one  clothes  brush,  one  hair  brush,  one  tooth 
brush,  and  one  comb;  also  two  bags  for  soiled  clothing. 
All  of  which  should  be  indelibly  marked.  He  will  need 
at  the  Seminary  as  an  outfit  to  be  paid  for  in  cash:  i 
chair -$1.50,  i  single  mattress  -  $4,  i  linen  cover  to 
wrap  the  bedding- $1.15,  2  straps  -  $1.00,  2  pairs  of 
good  blankets  -  $8.00,  2  pairs  of  sheets  -  $2.80,  2  pillow 
cases  -  60  cts.,  i  feather  pillow  -  $2.00,  i  looking  glass  - 
75  cts.,  i  water  bucket -30  cts.,  i  dipper -30  cts.,  can 
dlestick  and  snuffers -$i,  i  uniform  hat- $8;  in  all 
say -$32.  These  articles  may  be  brought  from  home 
but  will  be  at  the  Seminary  for  sale  at  cost  prices,  about 
as  above.  They  should  last  four  years  with  care. 

The  expenses  for  a  session  of  ten  months  are  esti 
mated  as  follows : 

Board  at  $12  per  month          .  .  .  $120.00 

Washing  at  $2  per  month     .  .  .  20.00 

Medical  attendance  and  medicines  .  .  I5-OO 

Rent  of  fixed  furniture         .  .  .  5-OO 

Uniform  suit  of  cloth            .  .  .  25.00 

Fatigue  suit  of  jeans              .  .  .  17.00 

Summer  pants,  vests,  and  jackets  .  .  21.00 


226  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Two  pairs  of  shoes  .  .  .  10.00 

Straw  hat  and  cap     .  .  .  .  5 . 50 

Text  books  and  stationery  .  .  .  30.00 

Fuel               .             .  .  .  .  12.00 

Candles         .             .  .  .  .  8.00 

Tuition  per  annum   .  .  .  .  60.00 

Absolutely  necessary  expenses       .  .  $348.50 

Experience  shows  that  some  Cadets  will  need  other 
things  not  enumerated  above,  such  as  postage  stamps, 
letter  paper,  matches,  gloves,  etc.,  but  no  cadet  should 
be  allowed  to  spend  more  than  $400  in  any  one  year. 
Each  cadet  should  bring  with  him  $35  for  outfit,  and 
$200  for  six  months'  expenses  in  advance.  Of  this  money 
an  accurate  account  current  will  be  kept  at  the  Semi 
nary,  each  cadet  having  a  pass  book  in  which  his  own  ac 
count  will  be  kept.  There  is  no  necessity  for  pocket 
money;  yet,  if  parents  desire  their  sons  to  have  it,  they 
are  requested  to  advise  the  superintendent  by  letter  to 
allow  at  his  discretion  a  moderate  sum,  not  to  exceed 
two  dollars  per  month ;  for  which  a  special  deposit  must 
be  made. 

No  cadet  will  be  permitted  to  have  money  otherwise 
than  above,  and  it  is  positively  prohibited  by  the  regula 
tions  for  cadets  to  apply  for  or  receive  money  from  their 
parents,  or  to  contract  any  debt  whatever.  All  shop 
keepers  in  this  neighborhood  are  well  acquainted  with 
this  rule,  and  parents  are  requested  never  to  pay  such 
bills,  as  cadets  have  no  necessity  to  incur  any  debts  in  any 
manner  whatever,  without  the  distinct  written  permis 
sion  of  the  superintendent. 

The  government  of  the  institution  is  military,  similar 
to  that  at  the  Academy  at  West  Point;  but  the  course  of 
study  has  been  selected  with  great  care,  and  embraces 
more  of  the  classic  languages  and  literature  than  is  us 
ually  taught  in  military  schools. 


Louisiana  State  Seminary  of  Learning     ) 

AND  MILITARY   ACADEMY.) 


ALEXANDRIA,  JUNE  lo,  1S60, 


SIR: — I  am  officially  informed  that  you  have  been  appointed  a  State  -Cadet  in  this  Institution, 
aad  I  hereby  request  that  you  will  present  yourself  here  in  person,  between  the  29th  and  31st  of 
October  prepared  to  be  examined  on  the  1st  day  of  November  for  admission. 

The  qualifications  for  admission  are:  Age  from  fifteen  to  twenty-one  years,  of  good  moral  char 
acter,  free  from  any  coutageous  or  infectious  disease  ;  you  should  read  the  English  Language  flu 
ently  and  well,  write  a  plain  legible  hand,  and  be  able  to  perform  with  facility  and  accuracy  the 
operations  of  Addition,  Subtraction,  Multiplication,  Division,  Vulgar  and  Decimal  Fractions,  Sim 
ple  and  Compound  Proportion  ;  and  indeed  to  understand  all  subjects  embraced  in  the  ordinary 
Books  on  Arithmetic.  That  of  Davie*?  is  adopted  as  our  standard,  and  it  would  be  well  for  you 
to  procure  it  and  study  it  well.  You  will  be  examined  on  the  foregoing  subjects,  and  will  imme 
diately  enter  on  the  regular  course  of  study,  begining  with  Davies1  Algebra  (Bourdon,)  Geometry 
(Xegrfdre)  the  French  Grammar  of  Noel  <k  Chapsal,  the  English  Grammar  by  Noble  Butler,  and 
the  Latin  Grammar  by  Rudiman.  If  these  Text  Books  can  be  procured  at  home  you  will  do  well 
to  get  them,  and  study  them  before  coming  here,  as  all  such  knowledge  will  be  .so  much  gained, 
and  will  be  of  marked  advantage  to  YOU  in  your  class. 

Bring  with  you  a  good  trunk,  7  good  shirts,  4  pairs  of  draw 
pairs  of  cotton  socks,  2  pairs  of  good  stout  shoes  or  boots,  2  pairs 
handkercheifs,  6  towels,  clothes  brush,  hair  brush,  tooth  brush,  cc 
ing,  clothing  well  marked. 

You  will  need  here  as  an  outfit  1  chnir  Kl  50,  1  mattrass  *4,  1  linen  cover  to  wrap  the  bedding 
in$l  15,  1  pair  of  leather  straps  $1,  2  pair  of  good  blankets  &s,  2  pair  of  sheets  $2  80.  2  pillow 
cases  60  cts.,  1  feather  pillow  £2,  ]  looking-glass  7-3  cts.,  water  bucket  HO  cts.,  dipper  30  cts.,  candle 
stick  and  snuffers  Si  and  1  uniform  hat  &S,  in  all  say  832.  These  must  be  paid  for  in  cash,  unless 
brought  from  home. 

The  State  will  provide  vou  annually, 

.$!20  00 


rs  of  white  drill  pants,  7 

Berlin  gloves,  fi  pocket 

bags  for   t-oiled   cloth- 


Summer  Clotliing. 
2  pairs  of  Sliofts". 


Woori 1  j  <?.j 

Candles ; 8  uO 

TOTAL • S283  IM> 

The  appropriation  by  the  Legislature  for  the  two  next  years,  nmcinits  to  £2*3  per  annum  for 
each  State  Cadet,  and  the  amount  is  distributed  as  above/  It  is  probable  you  -,nriy  absolutely  re 
quire  more  clothing,  and  also  that  you  should  have  other  minor  articles  such  as  letter  envelops, 
postage  stamps,  ferry  money  when  you  go  to  church  or  for  such  like  expenses  and  if  possible  you 
should  deposit  with  the  Treasurer  a  small  sum  of  moi.ey,  say  about  Hiro,  TO  be  disbursed  b)-  order 
of  the  Superintendent  for  your  account.  The  articles  enumerated  as  outfit  should  hist  four  years. 

No  Cadet  will  be  permitted  to  contract  a  debt  without  the  written  order  of  the  Superintendent, 
and  parents  are  earnestly  requests:!  to  recognize  no  such  debts  us  the  ^Merchants  here  Are  well  in 
formed  of  this  rule,  and  one  of  the  chief  objects  of  this  Institution  is  to  establish  habits  of  order, 
system  and  economy. 

As  soon  as  you  are  examined  and  admitted  you  will  be  placed  in  a  room  with  three  or  four 
other  Cadets,  provided  in  all  r^-pects  like  yourself,  a  copy  of  our  printed  regulations  will  be 


SHERMAN'S  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  STATE  CADETS 


placed  in  your  hands  and  you  will  he  required  to  conform  to  them  with  absolute  strictness.  Every 
departure  even  in  the  slightest  degree  will  be  noticed,  and  will  be  marked  with  demerits  accord 
ing  to  its  degree,  and  should  your  .number  of  demerits  exceed  one  hundred  in  six  months  you  Trill 
tillable  to  dismission.  In  like  manner  any  marked  disobedience  or  disorderly  conduct  calculated 
to  impair  the  discipline  or  bring  discredit  on  the  Institution  will  be  followed  by  a  summary  dis 
mission. 

If  however  yon  come  with  an  earnest  desire  to  obtain  a  good  education,  you  will  find  your  pro 
fessors  indulgent,  patient  and  forbearing.  Your  success  must  depend  entirely  on  yourself,  for  yoar 
teacher  can  only  guide  you  in  the  right  path  to  honor  and  fame. 

This  is  peculiarly  a  State  Institution.  The  Regulations  encourage  the  practice  of  true  Religion 
and  Morality,  and  will  aid  you  in  the  enjoyment  of  your  religious  duties,  but  there  are  no  Religious 
Ceremonies  connected  with  the  Institution  itself,  and  none  can  be  compulsory.  Ministers  of  the 
Gospel  frequently  visit  it,  in  which  event  Cadets  are  encouraged  to  attend,  but  when  such  is  not 
the  case,  the  Cadets  are  permitted  under  proper  restrictions  to  attend  the  Church  of  their  choice 
in  the  town  of  Alexandria,  three  miles  distant.  , 

The  Cadets  are  organized  into  companies  and  drilled,  the  first  year  as  Soldiers,  and  in  srl/^cquent 
years  as  Corporals,  Sergeants,  Lieutenants,  Captains  and  Field  Officers.  The  daily  routine  of 
duties  and  discipline  will  be  the  same  or  similar  to  that  of  West  Point,  but  our  course  of  study 
will  embrace  more  of  the  Classic  Languages  and  Literature  than  is  usually  taujjht  in  Military 
Schools,  however,  this  is  not  designed  for  professional  Soldiers,  but  to  train  tip  and  prepare  you 
for  the  high  duties  of  a  good  citizen. 

If  you  oome,  satisfied  with 'this  prospect,  and  are  determined  to  reap  the  advantages  thus  afibrded 
you  by  a  generous  State,  you  will  find  your  course,  though  laborious,  useful,  honorable  and  pleas 
ant,  "but  if  you  paint  to  yourself  a  less  honorable  course,    you  had  better    change    your  mind   and 
save  the  expense  of  a  journey  hither,  and  the  cost  of  an  outfit. 
I  am,  with  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  SHEBMAK,  Superintendent. 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY          231 

Daily  marks  are  kept  of  each  recitation.  These  are 
consolidated  quarterly,  and  a  report  thereof  made  to 
each  parent  or  guardian,  with  the  number  of  dements 
up  to  the  end  of  such  quarter  and  the  state  of  the  money 
account. 

Before  the  money  deposited  with  the  treasurer  is 
exhausted,  the  superintendent  will  make  his  requisition 
on  the  parent  for  the  amount  needed  for  the  remainder 
of  the  term.  It  will  be  seen  the  institution  receives  no 
compensation  other  than  the  $60  charged  as  annual  tui 
tion  fee  -  all  other  moneys  are  simply  held  for  the  ac 
count  and  benefit  of  the  cadet,  the  institution  keeping 
an  accurate  account  thereof,  subject  at  all  proper  times 
to  the  inspection  of  the  cadet,  his  parent,  or  guardian. 
The  annual  expenses  are  reduced  to  as  low  a  figure  as 
possible  and  the  actual  amount  to  be  expended  by  any 
cadet  will  depend  upon  the  care  which  he  takes  of  his 
books  and  clothing. 

This  is  peculiarly  a  state  institution.  The  regulations 
encourage  true  morality  and  religion,  and  aid  cadets 
in  the  performance  of  their  religious  duties.  But  there 
are  no  religious  ceremonies  connected  with  the  institu 
tion  itself  and  none  can  be  compulsory.  Ministers  of 
the  gospel  frequently  visit  it,  in  which  event,  cadets  are 
encouraged  to  attend;  but  when  such  is  not  the  case, 
the  cadets  are  permitted  under  the  proper  restrictions 
to  attend  the  Church  of  their  choice  in  the  town  of  Alex 
andria,  three  miles  distant. 

All  cadets  are  organized  into  companies  and  drilled: 
the  first  year  as  soldiers,  and  during  subsequent  years 
as  corporals,  sergeants,  lieutenants,  captains,  and  field 
officers. 

The  text  books  for  the  first  year  are  Davies's  Univer 
sity  Arithmetic,  Bourdon's  Algebra  and  Davies's  Le- 
gendre's  Geometry,  Noel  and  Chapsal's  French  Gram- 


232  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

mar,  Noble  Butler's  English  Grammar,  Rudiman's 
Latin  Grammar,  and  Josse's  Spanish  Grammar.  All 
knowledge  of  these  books  acquired  before  coming  here 
will  give  a  great  advantage  in  the  first  organization  of 
the  classes.  W.  T.  SHERMAN,  superintendent. 

In  June  after  hearing  of  Lincoln's  nomination  and  the  threat 
ened  split  in  the  Democratic   Party,   Sherman  wrote   to  his 
brother  John. 

.  .  .  Though  Lincoln's  opinions  on  slavery  are  as 
radical  as  those  of  Seward,  yet  southern  men,  if  they  see 
a  chance  of  his  success,  will  say  they  will  wait  and  see. 
The  worst  feature  of  things  now  is  the  familiarity  with 
which  the  subject  of  a  dissolution  is  talked  about.  But  I 
cannot  believe  any  one,  even  Yancey  or  Davis,  would  be 
rash  enough  to  take  the  first  step. 

If  at  Baltimore  to-day  the  convention  nominate  Doug 
las  with  unanimity,  I  suppose  if  he  gets  the  vote  of  the 
united  South  he  will  be  elected.  But,  as  I  apprehend 
will  be  the  case,  if  the  seceders  again  secede  to  Rich 
mond,  and  there  make  a  southern  nomination,  their 
nomination  will  weaken  Douglas's  vote  so  much  that 
Lincoln  may  run  in.  The  real  race  seems  to  be  between 
Lincoln  and  Douglas.  .  . 

Now  that  Mr.  Ewing  also  is  out  for  Lincoln,  and  it  is 
strange  how  closely  these  things  are  watched,  it  is  prob 
able  I  will  be  even  more  "suspect"  than  last  year.  All 
the  reasoning  and  truth  in  the  world  would  not  convince 
a  southern  man  that  the  Republicans  are  not  abolition 
ists.  It  is  not  safe  to  stop  to  discuss  the  question:  they 
believe  it,  and  there  is  the  end  of  the  controversy.  .  . 

Of  course,  I  know  that  reason  has  very  little  influence 
in  this  world :  prejudice  governs.  You  and  all  who  de 
rive  power  from  the  people  do  not  look  for  pure,  unal 
loyed  truth,  but  to  that  kind  of  truth  which  jumps  with 


REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  SEMINARY         233 

the  prejudice  of  the  day.  So  southern  politicians  do  the 
same.  If  Lincoln  be  elected,  I  don't  apprehend  resist 
ance;  and  if  he  be,  as  Mr.  Ewing  says,  a  reasonable, 
moderate  man,  things  may  move  on,  and  the  South  be 
come  gradually  reconciled.  But  you  may  rest  assured 
that  the  tone  of  feeling  is  such  that  Civil  War  and  an 
archy  are  very  possible.  .  . 


VI.    THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION 

Announcement  of  the  annual  examination.  Braxton  Bragg  on  Seminary 
matters.  Fourth  of  July  celebration.  Plans  for  closing  exercises.  Wine  on 
the  professors'  tables.  Politics  and  slavery  again.  Beauregard's  plans  for  his 
sons.  Attempt  to  secure  Bragg's  Buena  Vista  battery  and  a  supply  of  cadet 
muskets.  Rumor  that  the  Seminary  is  a  godless  institution.  The  South  would 
prefer  the  devil  to  a  Black  Republican.  Poor  food  at  the  Seminary.  Sher 
man  demands  control  over  professors  and  cadets.  Professor  Boyd  placed  in 
charge  for  the  vacation. 

The  correspondence  of  the  last  month  of  the  session  related 
mainly  to  local  matters.  Sherman  has  less  to  say  in  letters  to 
relatives  about  politics  and  the  negro  question.  Some  rather  im 
portant  matters  relating  to  student  discipline,  the  authority  of 
the  superintendent,  and  the  future  policy  of  the  Supervisors  were 
being  discussed.  The  appointment  of  Supervisors  opposed  to  the 
view's  of  General  Graham  seemed  to  indicate  a  reversal  of  policy 
which  might  embarrass  Sherman.  The  latter,  however,  insisted 
upon  one  thing  only  —  that  he,  as  superintendent  be  vested  with 
authority  over  students  and  professors.  This  question  was  not 
settled  before  the  close  of  the  session.  The  correspondence  also 
mentions  preparations  for  the  public  exercises  on  the  Fourth  of 
July  and  at  the  annual  examination,  plans  for  the  vacation,  and 
matters  relating  to  the  Seminary  finances,  supplies,  etc. 

In  the  south  it  was  customary  to  close  the  session  of  a  school 
or  college  with  a  formal  public  examination,  which  in  its  social 
features  corresponded  to  the  present  day  commencement.  The 
following  program  for  the  Seminary  examination  wras  published 
on  June  23,  1860. 

ADVERTISEMENT   IN   THE  RED  RIVER  AMERICAN, 
ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,  JULY  7,  1860 

ALEXANDRIA,  June  23,  1860. 

The  annual  examination  of  the  Cadets  at  this  institu 
tion  will  take  place  on  Monday  and  Tuesday,  July  3Oth 
and  3ist  proximo. 


236  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

The  order  of  exercises  each  day  will  be  as  follows : 
from  8  to  1 1  a.m.,  examination  in  mathematics ;  from  1 1 
a.m.  to  i  p.m.,  examination  in  French  and  Spanish ;  from 
3  to  5  130  p.m.,  examination  in  English  and  Latin. 

There  will  be  a  drill  at  6:30  p.m.,  each  day,  terminat 
ing  with  the  usual  dress  parade  at  sundown. 

From  8  to  1 1  in  the  evening  there  will  be  speeches, 
declamations,  and  compositions. 

The  meals  of  the  cadets  will  be  served  at  the  usual 
hours,  and  one  hour  thereafter,  viz:  2  p.m.  and  7:45 
p.m.  dinner  and  supper  will  be  provided  by  the  stew 
ard  for  all  visitors  who  will  give  him  previous  notice. 
The  ferry  boat  at  Alexandria  will  run  till  midnight,  af 
fording  a  good  opportunity  to  all  to  honor  us  with  their 
presence  at  the  evening  exercises. 

The  parents,  families  and  friends  of  the  cadets  and 
the  public  generally  are  most  respectfully  invited  to  at 
tend.  W.  T.  SHERMAN,  Superintendent 

BRAXTON  BRAGG  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LAFOURCHE,  Thibodeaux,  P.O.,  June  27,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  GENERAL:  Since  yours  of  April  I  have 
heard  nothing  from  the  Military  Academy  except  from 
one  of  the  cadets.  Yet  I  have  hoped  you  were  working 
on  smoothly  and  successfully.  Much,  indeed  all,  de 
pends  on  an  organization  which  will  give  a  proper 
working  Board  of  Supervisors,  near  the  institution,  and 
even  then,  a  large  discretion  must  be  allowed  your 
superintendent  and  Academic  Board.  Discipline  to 
amount  to  anything  must  be  firm,  decisions  prompt,  and 
their  execution  immediate  and  irrevocable,  except  in 
very  extraordinary  cases.  Hard  cases  arise  under  all 
laws,  and  it  is  better  to  do  some  injustice  than  to  break 
down  from  laxity.  This  duty  is  the  more  difficult  and 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  237 

trying  from  the  very  loose  system  which  prevails  in  our 
southern  society,  and  which  has  reduced  parents  to  a 
subordination  to  children.  But  you  have  a  man  in 
Colonel  Sherman  who  is  admirably  suited  to  initiate 
and  carry  out  such  a  system,  at  the  same  time  that  he  will 
temper  it  with  good  sense,  moderation,  and  the  best  ad 
vice.  And  I  venture  to  predict  that  he  will  secure  a 
hold  on  the  affections  of  his  cadets  which  will  make 
obedience  easy,  and  the  discharge  of  duty  a  pleasure. 

Not  having  heard  the  result  of  the  election  of  vice- 
president,  I  feel  anxiety  for  your  success  -  for,  candidly, 
I  have  no  confidence  in  the  capability  of  our  friend  Dr. 
Smith.  That  he  wishes  success  to  the  institution,  I  do 
not  doubt,  but  his  notions  are  so  crude,  so  impracticable, 
so  prejudiced,  and  he  withal  so  ignorant  of  how  to  carry 
them  out,  that  failure  must  be  the  result  of  any  power 
placed  in  his  hands.  Last  winter  things  were  forced 
through  the  legislature  in  spite  of  him,  wrhen  in  reality 
he  considered  himself  the  special  champion  of  the  cause. 

In  a  few  days  I  shall  visit  Baton  Rouge  on  business, 
and  hope  to  see  the  governor.  But  I  fear  he  is  too  much 
of  a  friend  of  Smith  to  allow  me  any  influence.  The 
only  conversation  I  can  recollect  with  Dr.  Smith  on  the 
subject  of  a  Board  of  Visitors,  was  simply  to  advise 
what  I  had  already  suggested  to  Governor  Moore,  the 
appointment,  or  invitation  of  some  "influential  gentle 
men  from  different  parts  of  the  state  to  attend  the  ex 
aminations."  I  neither  said  nor  intimated  anything  in 
regard  to  myself,  nor  would  I  ever  do  so  to  any  one  in 
regard  to  any  office.  I  have  done  my  share  of  public 
duties  in  this  life,  and  seek  no  more  of  them  for  honor 
or  profit.  Yet  I  am  always  ready  to  do  my  share  in  the 
advancement  of  a  good  cause  and  to  fill  my  station  as  a 
good  citizen. 


238  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  regret  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  attend  your  first  ex 
aminations,  as  I  leave  for  the  Springs  soon  after  my  visit 
to  Baton  Rouge.  I  predict  that  every  unprejudiced 
observer  will  acknowledge  greater  progress  in  the  same 
time,  with  the  same  means,  than  has  ever  been  known  in 
the  state. 

If  defeated  in  your  place  of  administration,  don't 
give  up.  It  must  succeed  in  the  end,  and  no  one  can  do 
as  much  as  yourself  for  its  ultimate  triumph,  or  deserves 
so  much  the  honor  of  success.  Remember  me  kindly  to 
Colonel  Sherman.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

July  4,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  My  supply  of  official  paper  is  run 
ning  low,  and  I  take  this  sheet  to  tell  you  in  a  private 
way  that  our  celebration  to-day  passed  off  perfectly  well. 
The  march  by  platoons  from  our  usual  parade  ground  to 
the  stand  was  handsome,  arms  were  stacked,  and  cadets 
seated.  I  had  chairs  enough  for  all  ladies  of  whom  the 
attendance  was  really  very  fine. 

The  marshal,  Taliaferro  (vice  Spencer  quit),  per 
formed  his  part  with  modesty  and  propriety,  the  Dec 
laration  was  read  by  Cushman  in  a  clear,  manly  voice, 
and  the  oration  delivered  by  Cornelius  gave  general 
satisfaction.  Boyce  53  wants  it  for  publication.  At  first 
I  thought  best  to  advise  adversely,  but  of  course  I  knew 
the  speech  before  it  was  delivered  and  see  no  impro 
priety  in  its  publication.  I  think  I  will  prevail  on  Cor 
nelius  to  have  it  published.  Of  course  I  know  full  well 
these  are  the  mere  ephemera  of  the  hour,  and  next 
week  will  seem  stale,  but  it  will  be  an  advertisement,  and 
if  good  may  spread  beyond  the  circle  of  the  Red  River 
American. 


53  Editor  of  the  Red  River  American.  —  ED. 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  239 

I  will  now  set  about  for  the  examination.  I  know  the 
expectations  of  the  public  are  too  high  and  you  must 
wink  at  any  little  stage  play.  The  professors  must  favor 
their  pupils  at  the  examination,  leaving  us  to  grade  them 
honestly  and  strictly  according  to  our  knowledge  of 
their  real  progress. 

As  the  Board  has  invited  a  public  orator  for  the  occa 
sion,  I  want  to  know  his  name  as  soon  as  possible  that  I 
may  advise  with  him  as  to  his  preference.  Public  speak 
ers  are  as  fickle  as  young  ladies.  They  prefer  sometimes 
out  of  doors  to  speak,  some  the  length  of  the  room,  some 
across  the  room,  etc.  As  to  the  cadets  I  will  study  to 
arrange  for  them  to  the  best  advantage.  By  a  little  man 
agement  to-day  we  have  made  a  decided  hit.  I  have  the 
regulations  nearly  done,  amended  pretty  extensively. 
If  the  Board  want  to  revise  them  they  must  act,  for 
if  they  devolve  on  me  any  duty,  my  rule  is  to  do  it, 
though  I  do  it  wrong.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  July  6,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  have  received  your  note  of  yester 
day  with  Colonel  Bragg's  letter  which  I  have  read  with 
great  satisfaction.  I  had  written  him  some  ten  days  ago 
urging  him  to  come  up  if  possible  at  our  examinations. 
I  had  no  knowledge  of  course  that  he  had  been  invited 
to  deliver  an  address.  I  think  that  will  tempt  him.  He 
writes,  as  you  know,  well  and  can  speak  his  thoughts 
clearly  and  with  emphasis,  the  best  kind  of  oratory,  still 
I  don't  think  he  has  an  ambition  to  be  styled  an  orator. 

Still  if  he  do  accept  I  will  be  more  than  pleased. 
Though  it  will  not  be  reasonable  to  expect  too  much  of 
us  at  our  first  examination,  yet  if  the  professors  will  use 
some  little  discretion  I  have  no  doubt  we  can  satisfy  all. 
As  you  will  have  learned  our  4th  passed  off  well.  Not  a 


240  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

particle  of  noise,  disorder,  or  confusion.  Everyone 
played  his  part  modestly  and  well. 

As  our  examinations  will  consume  two  whole  days 
and  nights  and  as  our  benches  have  no  backs,  I  have 
taken  the  liberty  to  order  twelve  dozen  chairs  not  to 
cost  more  than  twelve  dollars  the  dozen,  from  New  Or 
leans.  I  could  not  procure  with  any  certainty  the  hide 
bottoms  and  have  ordered  wood  bottoms  -  similar  to  our 
mess  hall  chairs,  which  have  lasted  well,  not  one  broken 
yet.  These  chairs  will  do  to  sell  to  cadets  next  term.  I 
am  fully  authorized  to  do  this  by  a  resolution  of  the 
Board,  yet  I  should  have  procured  your  sanction  first; 
but  I  was  not  convinced  of  the  pressing  necessity  till  I 
experienced  the  necessity.  I  will  have  them  in  time  for 
the  examination. 

I  have  never  been  to  Bayou  Robert  since  my  first  ar 
rival  and  propose  to-day  to  go  down  to  visit  Governor 
Moore,  Colonel  Chambers,  Mr.  Ransdell,  General 
Bailey,  etc.,  start  this  p.m.  and  return  to-morrow.  Gov 
ernor  Moore  sent  a  fine  lot  of  cake  for  the  cadets  and  a 
basket  of  wine  for  the  professors.  The  former  was 
added  to  their  stock  and  enabled  them  to  set  a  nice  table 
for  the  ladies.  The  wine  is  untouched  and  I  hardly 
know  how  to  dispose  of  it.  I  think  it  prudent  we  should 
exhibit  as  little  wine  as  possible  in  our  rooms  or  table. 
I  have  always  paid  and  advised  the  professors  to  pay 
largely  toward  the  general  hospitality,  and  thus  far  we 
have  done  so  without  wines,  except  claret.  Work  on 
house,  fence,  road,  etc.,  progressing  fast  and  I  hope  you 
will  get  notice  of  the  appropriations  for  houses  and  ap 
paratus  before  examination. 

I  send  you  Bragg's  letter  and  would  write  him  again 
if  I  thought  his  time  would  admit  of  his  receiving  my 
letter.  But  he  will  have  decided  before  I  could  get  my 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  241 

letter  to  him.  If  he  do  not  speak,  some  member  of  the 
Board  [must  speak].  I  have  official  notice  of  twenty- 
five  state  cadets,  none  from  New  Orleans  yet. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  July  10, 1860. 

.  .  .  I  feel  little  interest  in  politics  and  certainly 
am  glad  to  see  it  realized  that  politicians  can't  govern 
the  country.  They  may  agitate,  but  cannot  control.  Let 
who  may  be  elected,  the  same  old  game  will  be  played, 
and  he  will  go  out  of  office  like  Pierce  and  Buchanan 
with  their  former  honors  sunk  and  lost.  I  only  wonder 
that  honorable  men  should  seek  the  office. 

I  do  not  concieve  that  any  of  the  parties  would  ma 
terially  interfere  with  the  slavery  in  the  states,  and  in 
the  territories  it  is  a  mere  abstraction.  There  is  plenty 
of  room  in  the  present  slave  states  for  all  the  negroes, 
but  the  time  has  come  when  the  free  states  may  annoy 
the  slave  states  by  laws  of  a  general  declaration,  but  that 
they  will  change  the  relation  of  master  and  slave  I  don't 
believe. 

All  the  congresses  on  earth  can't  make  the  negro  any 
thing  else  than  what  he  is;  he  must  be  subject  to  the 
white  man,  or  he  must  amalgamate  or  be  destroyed.  Two 
such  races  cannot  live  in  harmony  save  as  master  and 
slave.  Mexico  shows  the  result  of  general  equality  and 
amalgamation,  and  the  Indians  give  a  fair  illustration 
of  the  fate  of  negroes  if  they  are  released  from  the  con 
trol  of  the  whites.  Of  course  no  one  can  guess  what  the 
wild  unbridled  passions  of  men  may  do,  but  I  don't  be 
lieve  that  the  present  excitement  in  politics  is  anything 
more  than  the  signs  of  the  passage  of  power  from  the 
southern  politicians  to  northern  and  western  politicians. 

The  negro  is  made  the  hobby,  but  I  know  that  north- 


242  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

ern  men  don't  care  any  more  about  the  rights  and  hu 
manities  of  the  negroes  than  the  southerners.  At  present 
negroes  work  under  control  of  white  men  and  the  con 
sequence  is  the  annual  yield  of  $200,000,000  of  cotton, 
sugar,  and  other  produce  that  would  not  be  without  such 
labor;  and  so  long  as  that  is  the  case,  I  don't  fear  a 
change  in  this  respect.  .  . 

P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  July  10,  1860. 

DEAR  MAJOR:  ...  I  should  like  much  to  be 
able  to  accept  your  kind  invitation  to  attend  your  ex 
aminations  but  my  occupations  and  this  intolerably  hot 
weather  will  not  permit  me  to  do  so.  I  have  no  doubt 
however  that  the  result  of  these  examinations  will  do 
credit  to  your  institution  and  be  satisfactory  to  yourself 
and  assistants. 

Not  wishing  to  send  money  by  mail  and  supposing 
you  would,  for  a  like  reason,  prefer  a  check,  I  send  one 
herewith  for  $50  on  the  Bank  of  Louisiana,  of  which 
one  half  is  for  my  son,  less  the  amount  due  by  him  or  for 
him  and  the  other  half  for  Mr.  Reid's  son  for  the  pur 
pose  of  bringing  them  home.  Should  young  Proctor 
have  need  of  any  I  will  send  him  some,  for  his  father  and 
family  have  gone  to  the  Virginia  Springs  for  the  sum 
mer,  where  he  is  to  go  to  meet  them. 

I  have  just  succeeded  in  getting  off  from  the  superin- 
tendency  of  West  Point,  where  I  was  to  have  been  or 
dered  this  summer.  The  thing  is  delayed  for  one  or 
two  years  longer.54 

I  am  going  to  send  you  my  youngest  son  Henry  in 
October  next  to  be  prepared  for  West  Point;  he  will 
stay  with  you  two  years  nearly.  I  want  him  to  do  credit 
to  himself  and  honor  to  your  Academy.  So  you  must 

54  Beauregard  became  superintendent  of  West  Point  for  a  short  time  in  1861. 

-Eo. 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  243 

have  an  eye  on  him.  He  has  been  appointed  in  Rene's 
place  a  state  cadet  from  the  Parish  of  St.  Bernard. 
Rene  will  go  back  as  an  ordinary  cadet.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 
Academy,  Alexandria,  July  16,  1860. 

DEAR  SIR:  ...  I  have  had  some  correspond 
ence  with  Cadet  L — 's  father,  and  have  assured  him 
that  I  would  lay  before  the  Board  his  letter,  asking  that 
his  son  be  allowed  to  resign,  instead  of  being  reported 
"Dismissed"  or  "Deserted."  I  explained  to  him  the  dif 
ficulty  as  other  cadets  were  similarly  placed  and  the  rule 
must  apply  to  all.  It  was  by  threatening  Cadet  L— 
that  I  obtained  the  constitution  of  the  marauders,  but  he 
knew  full  well  that  he  was  in  no  danger  of  dismissal  for 
the  bucket  affair.  I  suppose  you  have  already  been 
troubled  too  much  about  it.  Still  I  enclose  along  with 
his  letter  the  notes  made  by  Mr.  Boyd  of  the  long  con 
versation  that  preceded  L — 's  going  away.  Of  course  I 
shall  oppose  no  resolution  for  clemency,  only  the  truth 
should  be  made  "manifest." 

I  also  enclose  you  a  letter  received  last  evening  from 
Colonel  Bragg.  I  guess  to  secure  that  battery55  we 
must  get  an  act  of  Congress.  I  have  General  Grivot's  58 
promise  but  they  forget  promises  sometimes  and  I  will 
again  write  to  him.  Governor  Moore  said  to  me  that  he 
was  satisfied  we  needed  the  muskets,  and  a  resolution  of 
the  Board  now  will  be  too  late,  as  after  the  resolution 
passes  I  will  have  no  time  to  follow  it  up,  for  unless  I 
can  get  the  official  requisition  I  should  not  ask  Colonel 
Craig 57  to  transfer  to  Baton  Rouge  the  cadet  muskets. 

55  Bragg's  Buena  Vista  battery.  -  ED. 

56  Adjutant-general  of  Louisiana.  —  ED. 

57  Of  the  Ordinance  Bureau.  War  Department.  -  ED. 


244  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Cadet  muskets  you  know  are  scarce  and  I  doubt  if 
they  are  to  be  found  except  at  Springfield,  Mass.  Now 
we  will  need  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  December  or 
January  next  year,  and  that  is  the  reason  why  I  thought 
it  best  to  go  to  Washington,  to  get  Colonel  Craig  to 
transfer  them  south  in  advance. 

Bragg  tells  me  that  the  rumor  that  I  oppose  religious 
observances  here  has  found  its  way  to  his  place.  I  am 
not  surprised  when  Mr  D —  58  himself  takes  upon  him 
self  to  advise  gentlemen  on  steamboats  not  to  send  their 
children  here,  if  they  value  religion.  He  told  me  him 
self  he  had  done  so.  Now  I  have  strictly  adhered  to  the 
rule  we  laid  down,  and  have  never  denied  a  cadet  the 
privilege  and  facility  of  going  to  Alexandria  every  Sun 
day,  although  I  know  some  of  them  habitually  abuse  it. 
But  I  will  not  argue  the  case  with  you,  for  I  know  that 
this  is  one  of  the  difficulties  we  have  to  contend  with  in 
the  future,  and  any  rule  the  Board  will  lay  down  I  will 
execute  honestly  and  fearlessly.  I  write  to  Bragg  more 
fully  on  the  subject  to-day.  Of  course  all  the  professors 
have  been  told  that  under  the  old  and  new  regulations 
they  must  ask  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  leave  of 
absence.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  THOMAS  EWING  JR. 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  Alexandria,  July  22, 

1860. 

DEAR  TOM  :  .  .  .  The  fact  that  Congress  did  not 
admit  Kansas  must  be  a  disappointment  to  you  all,  but 
the  certainty  of  her  giving  a  Republican  vote  was  too 
much  for  a  Democratic  Congress,  with  the  almost  cer 
tainty  of  the  election  going  into  the  House.  Down  here 

58  An  Episcopal  clergyman  who  was  disappointed  because  Doctor  Vallas, 
also  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  was  not  allowed  by  the  supervisors  to  preach 
regularly  in  assisting  D.  at  Alexandria  and  Pineville.  -  ED. 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  245 

no  one  thinks  of  Lincoln.    The  struggle  will  be  between 
Douglas  and  Breckenridge ;  the  latter  will  win.     .     . 

If  Lincoln  should  win  I  don't  know  but  that  some 
thing  would  turn  up  to  my  liking,  but  it  won't  do  for  me 
to  say  Lincoln  down  here.  The  devil  himself  would  be 
a  more  welcome  guest  than  a  Black  Republican,  yet  I 
have  no  fears  myself  of  the  election  of  anybody;  if  our 
form  of  government  will  not  endure  any  man  as  presi 
dent  it  is  not  a  fit  machine  and  should  break  up ;  but  of 
course  I  know  that  no  man  would  now  disturb  property 
in  slaves;  as  to  the  limitation  of  its  sphere,  that  is  com 
paratively  a  small  matter.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  Alexandria,  July  23, 
1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  Charles  whom  we  sent  for  the  mail 
has  just  returned  without  the  mail,  but  had  your  Sunday 
letter  which  I  have  just  read  with  great  satisfaction. 
The  idea  of  our  first  examination  without  your  presence 
would  have  been  truly  the  play  of  Hamlet  without  the 
Prince,  but  as  it  is  I  am  satisfied.  I  had  already  made 
all  the  checks  except  that  for  Mr.  St.  Ange,  who  did  not 
apply  for  it  because  I  suppose  I  told  him  I  wanted  all 
persons  to  pay  the  Seminary  their  dues  to  the  stores, 
which  in  his  case  will  take  a  good  part  of  his  month's 
pay.  I  may  be  too  severe  a  stickler  in  finance,  but  as  I 
view  the  case  clothing,  being  sold  without  profit,  is  cash 
and  should  not  be  allowed  to  stand  on  our  books  like  a 
store  account. 

I  have  every  cadet's  account  made  up  to  the  cent.  All 
orders  are  stopped  and  this  cash  balance  cannot  be 
changed.  In  actually  paying  Jarreau  in  checks  I  ex 
ceeded  your  authority,  but  his  bill  necessarily  entered 


246  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

into  all  the  cadet's  accounts,  and  it  was  important  these 
accounts  should  thus  be  closed  before  the  hurly-burly  of 
the  examination.  In  two  hours  of  Wednesday  I  can  pay 
every  account  and  dismiss  all  hands.  Whilst  the  exami 
nation  progresses  the  Board  of  Supervisors  can  pass  a 
few  formal  resolutions.  One  authorizing  the  publica 
tion  in  Alexandria  or  New  Orleans  of  three  hundred 
Registers.  There  is  already  a  resolution  authorizing 
me  to  compile  and  have  printed  one  thousand  regula 
tions.  Professor  Smith  at  my  suggestion  wrote  his 
uncle  59  and  ascertained  the  cost  of  two  thousand  regula 
tions  to  have  been  in  Richmond  $250.  Ours  is  less  in 
volume,  and  ought  not  to  exceed  for  one  thousand  copies 
say  $150,  yet  this  expenditure  had  better  be  left  blank. 
I  think  a  more  compact  volume  would  be  neater  and 
more  appropriate. 

I  have  the  regulations  done  in  manuscript  and  bound 
ready  for  the  printer;  would  like  you  to  examine  it 
though  a  large  task;  but  it  must  be  in  print  next  No 
vember  for  it  is  wrong  thus  to  hold  young  men  to 
obedience  to  rules,  imperfectly  understood.  Both  Hil- 
lan  and  Spencer  want  to  come  back  in  the  fall,  and  we 
might  receive  them  on  the  ground  of  being  "minors" 
whose  acts  are  incomplete  without  the  ratification  of 
parents,  and  their  parents  both  roundly  disapproved 
their  course. 

I  have  so  written  to  Spencer's  father,  but  said  I  could 
not  commit  the  Board,  who  might  prefer  a  more  strin 
gent  rule.  I  want  you  to  frame  some  word  -  less  harsh 
than  "deserted"  or  "dismissed"  for  such  cadets,  who 
have  simply  quit.  I  am  at  a  dead  loss.  "Deserted"  is 
all  the  word  I  know  that  tells  the  story,  but  it  may  be  too 
severe  for  this  condition  of  things. 

Very  many  of  our  cadets  have  diarrhea,  owing  they 

59  F.   H.   Smith,   superintendent  of  Virginia   Military  Institute.  —  ED. 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  247 

say  to  fritters  and  molasses  for  supper.  They  complained 
so  much  of  the  melted  butter,  that  Captain  Jarreau 
agreed  to  give  fritters  and  molasses.  These  and  melons 
and  fruit  are  causes  enough.  We  have  ordered  toast  and 
tea  for  supper,  and  will  discourage  stale  fruit  and  mel 
ons.  I  hope  they  will  recover  this  week.  Otherwise 
they  may  make  a  sorry  appearance.  I  bear  in  mind  your 
suggestion  to  get  Dr.  Smith  to  have  a  resolution  passed, 
asking  for  the  quota  of  [arms  for]  1861.  The  govern 
or's  silence  and  that  of  his  adjutant-general  look  to  me 
ominous. 

I  try  to  write  plain,  but  it  is  no  use.  For  so  many 
years  I  have  had  clerks  to  copy  my  letters  hastily  and 
illegibly  written  that  the  habit  is  fixed,  and  I  trust  you 
will  not  think  my  seeming  haste  is  an  intentional  tax  on 
your  sight  and  time.  Where  hard  to  read  you  can  skip, 
with  the  knowledge  that  you  lose  nothing. 

The  busy  time  of  the  annual  examination  is  not  described  in 
the  letters.  The  session  closed  on  July  30-3 1  with  public  exami 
nations  and  a  ball.  Professor  D.  F.  Boyd  was  then  placed  in 
charge  of  the  Seminary  and  Sherman  went  to  his  home  in  Lan 
caster,  Ohio,  for  a  short  visit  before  going  to  Washington  and 
New  York  on  Seminary  business. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

ALEXANDRIA,  Aug.  2,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  came  in  this  morning  with  the 
register  complete  and  it  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the 
printer,  with  a  promise  that  it  shall  be  done  on  Satur 
day  ready  for  proof.  I  will  be  in  again  on  Saturday  to 
prove  the  sheets,  when  there  will  be  no  further  cause  for 
my  delay,  and  therefore  I  will  be  ready  to  start  north 
next  Tuesday. 

I  have  had  an  interview  with  Mr.  Manning  and  we 
have  gone  over  the  regulations  together.  As  Colonel,  of 


248  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

course  I  command  in  a  military  sense  all  commissioned 
officers  and  cadets  of  the  institution;  as  superintendent 
also  I  should  have  equal  control  or  command  over  every 
person  including  the  professors  at  the  institution,  sub 
ject  always  to  the  resolutions  of  the  Board  of  Super 
visors.  Else  I  cannot  be  responsible.  This  is  the  only 
real  point  in  which  I  find  I  differ  with  Mr.  Manning, 
and  this  radical  difference  must  be  solved  by  the  Board. 
Mr.  M.  tells  me  he  has  applied  to  the  governor  to  call 
the  Board  together. 

I  can  leave  the  regulations  to  be  forwarded  to  me  at 
Lancaster  and  I  will  have  them  printed  at  Cincinnati, 
or  you  can  have  them  done  by  Bloomfield  and  Steel  in 
New  Orleans.  But  the  regulations  must  be  printed  by 
November  i  or  I  am  done,  for  in  every  circular  I  have 
made,  this  assurance  was  given  that  a  copy  should  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  every  cadet  on  arrival.  It  was 
my  intention  to  have  furnished  one  hundred  suits  of  uni 
form  clothing  and  all  those  things,  like  paper,  blank 
books,  etc.,  that  I  know  will  be  needed  next  session,  to 
be  here  Nov.  i,  to  be  paid  for  out  of  the  cadets'  money. 

But  the  Board  misunderstood  my  purpose.  I  have  no 
business  at  New  York.  To  go  there  would  cost  me  $150, 
but  I  feel  so  desirous  to  start  next  session  fair  and  well 
supplied  that  I  was  willing  to  incur  that  expense.  I 
shall  enclose  all  the  requisitions  of  the  several  professors 
for  text-books,  stationery,  etc.,  with  my  statement  of 
articles  required  at  the  outset  next  session,  to  be  by  you 
laid  before  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  that  they  may 
make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  the  purchase.  I 
have  been  foiled  in  every  attempt  heretofore  made  to 
get  supplies  of  books  and  clothing  here  or  at  New  Or 
leans,  but  the  Board  of  Supervisors  better  experienced 
in  such  things  may  be  more  successful. 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  249 

I  beg  to  recall  such  part  of  my  letter  as  refers  to  going 
to  New  York,  as  it  would  be  superfluous.  I  will  never 
theless  go  to  Washington  and  try  to  secure  the  quota  of 
arms  for  1860. 

If  you  think  my  presence  here  necessary,  I  can  delay 
my  departure,  and  I  know  you  fully  agree  with  me  that 
this  question  of  supplies  is  far  more  important  than  is 
generally  supposed.  All  the  professors  look  to  me  to 
procure  their  supplies  and  I  have  so  estimated  that  pro 
fits  just  about  cover  the  excess  on  hand.  Cadets  on  ar 
rival  will  need  instantly  near  $8,000  of  clothing,  books, 
stationery,  and  bedding.  None  of  these  need  be  paid  for 
till  the  cadets  make  their  deposit,  and  the  Seminary  is 
only  out  the  surplus  -  and  the  profits  of  say  ten  per  cent 
ought  to  cover  that. 

Still  this  plan  was  the  only  one  I  could  adopt.  The 
Board  has  never  approved  or  disapproved  and  I  have 
gone  on  controlling  the  purchases  and  issues.  I  think 
now  the  matter  ought  to  be  done  formally.  Resolve  that 
I  shall  do  it,  or  that  Robertson  shall  fill  the  estimates. 
In  the  divided  state  of  feeling  in  this  country,  it  is  best, 
that  business  be  done  formally.  Those  views  are  ex 
pressed  to  you  that  they  may  be  communicated  to  the 
Board  which  meets  Aug.  13  by  order  of  Governor 
Moore,  as  I  see  by  the  letter  sent  to  Mr.  Manning  after 
I  began  this  hurried  letter. 

I  shall  write  more  from  the  Seminary,  to-morrow, 
and  will  be  here  Saturday  and  Monday.  I  doubt  if  I 
should  leave  before  the  Board  meets,  but  my  young  folks 
are  most  crazy  and  they  are  now  looking  for  me.  Still 
duty  first.  If  you  think  you  can  manage,  it  might  be 
well  for  me  to  be  away,  but  I  must  have  control  over 
professors.  That  is  the  point  at  issue. 


250  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY,  Aug.  5,  1860. 

SIR:  By  virtue  of  authority  vested  in  me  by  resolu 
tion  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  I  hereby  delegate  to 
you  all  the  authority  and  power  thereby  conveyed  to  me, 
for  the  purpose  of  protecting  and  guarding  the  build 
ings,  fences,  trees,  grounds  and  property  of  all  kinds 
and  descriptions  belonging  in  any  wise  to  this  institution. 
I  beg  you  will  enter  into  charge  of  the  same  and  do  all 
things  deemed  by  you  proper  to  secure  the  end  in  view. 

In  the  first  place  I  hereby  leave  with  you  in  checks 
and  money  the  sum  of  $780.42,  being  my  exact  cash  bal 
ance  this  day,  as  per  cash  book  already  deposited  with 
you. 

The  merchandise  book,  styled  journal,  has  an  inven 
tory  of  merchandise  on  hand.  The  Seminary  owns  a 
mule  and  cart,  which  with  slave  Henry,  should  be  prof 
itably  employed  in  gathering  firewood  for  the  coming 
session.  Two  boys,  Dick  and  Manuel,  can  be  em 
ployed  in  cutting  wood  when  not  otherwise  engaged. 

This  period  of  vacation  is  designed  as  the  time  for  re 
furnishing  the  building;  as  we  have  gone  over  it  in  per 
son  and  noted  down  in  writing  the  exact  number  of 
tables,  bookcases,  and  clothes  presses  needed,  and  as  the 
carpenters  are  actually  employed  in  their  manufacture, 
I  think  I  need  say  nothing  further  than  that  it  would  be 
well  to  see  that  they  keep  well  up  to  time,  so  that  they 
will  surely  be  able  to  finish  all  in  October. 

The  work  under  stairway  should  be  well  done. 

All  the  boys  are  paid  up  to  Aug.  i ,  except  Dr.  Smith's 
boy,  and  I  will  leave  an  amount  and  check  for  him. 

I  design  to  order  merchandise  from  New  Orleans 
and  New  York,  but  will  be  here  myself  when  it  arrives. 
Still  should  I  be  delayed,  or  should  any  come  prema- 


CLOSE  OF  THE  FIRST  SESSION  251 

turely,  store  it  in  this  large  room,  near  the  south  end, 
leaving  this  office  end  clear. 

All  cadets'  articles  of  furniture  should  be  in  the 
Chemical  Academy,  and  should  be  looked  to  occasion 
ally,  as  thieves  might  rob  them  very  easily. 

The  fact  is  your  own  judgment  will  be  better  than 
mine  in  all  things  that  may  arise.  All  letters  open  -  if 
private,  up  to  Oct.  i,  send  me  at  Lancaster,  O. ;  if  public, 
answer,  and  copy  your  answers.  Though  your  summer 
stay  here  will  be  lonely,  I  hope  it  may  be  one  of  health 
and  comparative  comfort,  and  surely  I  will  remember 
in  the  future  your  sacrifice  to  enable  us  to  visit  our 
friends  and  families  this  summer. 


VII.    THE  VACATION  OF  1860:  OHIO, 
WASHINGTON,  NEW  YORK 

Sherman  goes  to  Ohio,  Washington,  and  New  York.  His  correspondence 
with  General  Graham  and  Professor  Boyd.  Plans  to  bring  family  to  Louisi 
ana  in  October.  Instructions  as  to  work  on  the  Seminary  buildings.  Politics 
in  Ohio.  Arms  and  equipment  for  the  Seminary  secured  at  Washington. 
National  politics.  The  Seminary  regulations  are  revised.  Graham  resigns. 
Sherman  disapproves  of  the  changes.  Books  and  instruments  ordered  in  New 
York.  Graham  criticises  the  conduct  of  Manning  and  Smith  in  Seminary 
affairs.  Professor  Boyd's  work  at  the  Seminary.  Boyd's  views  of  politics. 
A  press  notice  of  the  Seminary.  Preparations  for  the  second  session.  Ship 
ment  of  goods  from  the  North.  Difficulty  of  getting  supplies  to  the  Sem 
inary.  Shortcomings  of  the  steward's  department.  Sherman  explains  his 
objections  to  the  revised  regulations.  White  laborers  from  the  North  cannot 
be  obtained.  Louisiana  politics.  Life  in  Ohio.  End  of  the  vacation.  Sher 
man  returns  to  Louisiana. 

The  closing  exercises  of  the  Seminary  attracted  wide  attention 
in  Louisiana  and  the  authorities  were  well  pleased  by  the  favor 
able  impression  created.  The  students  were  now  dismissed  to 
their  homes,  the  members  of  the  faculty  scattered,  and  Sherman 
went  north. 

In  his  Memoirs  [vol.  i,  178]  Sherman  gives  a  brief  ac 
count  of  his  movements  during  the  early  part  of  his  vacation  pe 
riod. 

Major  Smith  and  I  agreed  to  meet  in  New  York  on  a 
certain  day  in  August,  to  purchase  books,  models,  etc.  I 
went  directly  to  my  family  in  Lancaster,  and  after  a  few 
days  proceeded  to  Washington,  to  endeavor  to  procure 
from  the  general  government  the  necessary  muskets  and 
equipments  for  our  cadets  by  the  beginning  of  the  next 
term.  I  was  in  Washington  on  the  ijth  day  of  August, 
and  hunted  up  my  friend  Major  Buell,  of  the  adjutant- 
general's  department,  who  was  on  duty  with  the  secre- 


254  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

tary  of  war,  Floyd.  I  had  with  me  a  letter  of  Governor 
Moore's  authorizing  me  to  act  in  his  name.  Major 
Buell  took  me  into  Floyd's  room  at  the  war  department, 
to  whom  I  explained  my  business,  and  I  was  agreeably 
surprised  to  meet  with  such  easy  success.  Although  the 
State  of  Louisiana  had  already  drawn  her  full  quota  of 
arms,  Floyd  promptly  promised  to  order  my  requisition 
to  be  filled,  and  I  procured  the  necessary  blanks  at  the 
ordnance-office,  filled  them  with  two  hundred  cadet 
muskets,  and  all  equipments  complete,  and  was  assured 
that  all  these  articles  would  be  shipped  to  Louisiana  in 
season  for  our  use  in  the  fall.  These  assurances  were 
faithfully  carried  out. 

I  then  went  on  to  New  York,  there  met  Major  Smith 
according  to  appointment,  and  together  we  selected  and 
purchased  a  good  supply  of  uniforms,  clothing,  and  text 
books,  as  well  as  a  fair  number  of  books  of  history  and 
fiction,  to  commence  a  library.  When  this  business  was 
completed,  I  returned  to  Lancaster  and  remained  with 
my  family  till  the  time  approached  for  me  to  return  to 
Louisiana. 

From  Ohio  Sherman  corresponded  with  General  Graham  and 
Professor  Boyd.  To  them  he  writes  in  detail  of  his  trip  to  the  East 
to  secure  Seminary  supplies,  of  the  political  situation  in  the  North 
as  it  appears  to  him  upon  closer  view,  and  of  the  striking  contrast 
between  North  and  South  as  to  crops  and  general  agricultural 
conditions.  Boyd  wrote  to  Sherman  of  conditions  in  Louisiana. 
Graham's  memorandum  gives  his  view  of  the  change  of  policy 
which,  it  is  evident,  gives  trouble  to  Sherman,  whose  authority 
is  considerably  curtailed  by  the  revision  made  in  the  regulations 
after  he  left  Louisiana. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  August  12,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:     I  left  Alexandria  in  the  stage  on 

Tuesday  morning,    reached   the  wharf   boat    [at  the 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  255 

mouth  of  Red  River]  that  night  at  i  o'clock,  waited  till 
4  p.m.  of  Wednesday,  when  the  fine  boat  William  M. 
Morrison  came  along  in  which  we  proceeded  to  Vicks- 
burg  by  Thursday  at  3  p.m.,  when  we  took  cars  to  Jack 
son  [and]  Cairo,  reaching  Cincinnati  Saturday  morning 
at  7 130  o'clock.  It  so  happened  that  the  train  connected 
with  a  railroad  taking  its  departure  at  7:45  from  a  de 
pot  west  of  the  city,  whereas  the  daily  train  of  our  Lan 
caster  road  leaves  the  depot  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  city. 
Therefore  we  had  no  time  to  traverse  the  city  in  time 
and  I  took  my  young  charge  60  to  the  Burnett  House. 

Then  I  began  a  series  of  inquiries  as  to  the  quickest 
and  best  mode  of  [reaching]  my  home,  when  I  found  in 
the  same  hotel  Mrs.  Ewing,  the  old  lady  and  her  son 
P.  B.  Ewing.  After  discussing  the  subject  in  all  its 
bearing  I  concluded  to  leave  Miss  Whittington  at  the 
Burnett  House,  in  the  protection  of  Mrs.  Ewing,  to 
spend  this  Sunday  there  and  come  here  by  the  morning 
quick  train  of  Monday.  Miss  Whittington  had  been 
travelling  two  nights  in  the  cars  and  readily  consented, 
so  I  came  up  last  night  in  the  freight  train  arriving  here 
about  day-light  and  finding  all  my  people  well  and 
hearty.  They  have  been  hanging  on  me  all  day,  and  I 
have  had  them  on  horseback  and  chasing  ever  since  din 
ner,  and  have  only  stolen  away  for  a  few  minutes  to 
write  you  this. 

I  am  amazed  at  the  change  from  the  pinewoods  to 
this.  I  never  saw  such  crops  of  corn,  fruit,  and  vege 
tables.  Mr.  Ewing  says  in  his  whole  experience,  which 
goes  back  to  the  first  settlement  of  Ohio  he  has  never  seen 
such  plenty.  Orchards  which  had  been  barren  for 
eight  years  are  now  loaded  with  fine  fruit,  peaches, 
grapes,  melons,  everything  in  wasteful  abundance. 

60  Miss  Whittington,  daughter  of  one  of  the  supervisors.  She  was  on  her 
way  to  Georgetown,  D.C.,  to  school.  —  ED. 


256  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Wheat  and  small  grain  are  gathered  and  safe.  Corn  is 
as  fine  as  possible  and  beyond  danger  of  any  contingency. 
Hay  of  all  kinds  will  be  so  abundant  that  it  must  go 
away  for  a  market.  This  is  not  only  true  of  Ohio,  but 
of  all  the  states  east  of  the  Mississippi.  May  it  not  be 
providential?  May  it  not  be  one  of  the  facts  stronger 
than  blind  prejudice  to  show  the  mutual  dependence  of 
one  part  of  our  magnificent  country  on  the  other.  The 
Almighty  in  his  wisdom  has  visited  a  vast  district  with 
drought  but  has  showered  abundance  on  another  and  he 
has  made  a  natural  avenue  between.  This  is  a  grievous 
fact-  true  it  may  advantage  one  part  at  the  expense  of 
the  other,  but  next  year  it  may  be  reversed. 

I  find  as  much  diversity  in  sentiment  here  in  politics 
as  in  the  South  -  I  shall  keep  aloof  -  only  asserting  that 
whoever  is  elected,  be  it  the  devil  himself  must  be  en 
dured  for  the  time  being.  Nobody  will  be  rash  enough 
to  disturb  slavery  where  it  exists,  and  its  extension  is  now 
only  a  theoretical  not  a  practical  question. 

In  Cincinnati  I  found  a  publishing  house  that  will 
print  us  one  thousand  copies  of  our  regulations  for  $105. 
When  the  manuscript  is  revised  I  will  send  it  down,  and 
follow  it  ten  days  thereafter  to  prove.  I  will  bring  them 
along  with  me. 

Miss  Whittington  will  be  here  to-morrow,  I  will  take 
her  to  Georgetown  [D.C.]  on  Wednesday.  In  Wash 
ington  I  will  see  about  arms,  equipments,  and  munitions. 
I  will  then  go  to  New  York  and  purchase  books  and 
clothing  on  a  credit  payable  after  November  -  and  have 
them  at  Red  River  by  Oct.  15.  When  I  will  meet  them. 
If  the  river  be  navigable  all  right -if  not,  such  as  are 
absolutely  necessary  must  be  wagoned  up  and  the  rest 
kept  in  store  till  navigation  opens. 

I  will  not  bring  my  family  till  I  know  that  the  house 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  257 

is  done,  and  that  Mrs.  Sherman  can  bring  with  her  from 
Cincinnati  carpets,  curtains,  and  furniture  complete. 
Better  this  delay  than  the  privation  and  confusion  of  a 
house  ill  supplied.  It  is  our  duty  to  foresee  necessities 
and  provide  for  them  in  advance.  After  my  return 
from  New  York  I  will  write  in  full  what  I  have  done. 
Mr.  Ewing  has  just  called  to  take  me  to  ride  and  I  must 
close.  He  is  as  active  now  as  forty  years  ago  and  I 
would  not  be  astonished  if  he  would  visit  Louisiana  next 
winter  when  my  family  comes  down. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

LANCASTER,  O.  (Monday),  Aug.  13,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND:  I  arrived  here  yesterday  morn 
ing,  and  found  my  family  well.  I  left  Miss  Whitting- 
ton  in  Cincinnati  with  Mrs.  Ewing  to  rest  over  Sunday 
and  to  come  here  to-day.  On  Wednesday  I  will  go  to 
Washington,  and  on  Saturday  to  New  York,  and  as  soon 
as  I  make  up  my  catalogue  of  books  I  will  send  it  to  you. 
My  chief  idea  in  going  to  New  York  is  to  elect  some  one 
person  of  good  credit  who  can  buy  for  us  .  .  .  such 
books  as  any  of  us  want.  My  only  acquaintance  with 
booksellers  now  is  of  that  general  character  that  is 
formed  by  dropping  in  and  buying  a  single  or  couple 
[of]  volumes.  This  time  I  will  come  to  clear  distinct 
terms  as  to  purchase,  commissions,  credits,  etc.,  same 
with  clothing,  and  same  for  hats,  caps,  and  shoes.  But 
your  five  hundred  dollars  of  books  shall  be  purchased 
absolutely,  paid  for  and  shipped  in  all  September,  and 
I  advise  you  to  have  prepared  a  case  of  shelves.  The 
textbooks  must  also  be  bought  on  a  credit,  and  then  they 
can  remain  in  their  own  boxes  till  issued  and  sold  to  ca 
dets  -  same  of  clothing,  shoes,  hats,  etc. 

Now  Red  River  will  not  be  navigable  by  October  15, 


258  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

and  I  foresee  trouble,  but  trouble  only  stimulates  my 
endeavors.  I  will  arrange  that  all  purchases  go  to  New 
Orleans;  if  Red  River  be  navigable  October  15,  then 
these  things  to  be  shipped,  if  Red  River  be  dry,  then  I 
will  want  to  hire  five  wagons  at  or  near  the  Seminary,  so 
that  on  my  arrival  there  I  can  conduct  them  to  Snaggy 
Point,  or  even  the  Mississippi  River,  and  haul  up  those 
things,  such  as  bedding,  textbooks,  etc.,  which  must  be 
on  hand  to  the  hour.  Therefore,  if  about  October  i  the 
river  be  as  now,  unreliable,  see  Coats,  or  Baden  the 
cooper  in  Pineville,  or  some  other  of  that  class,  and  tell 
them  on  my  arrival  October  15  I  will  want  to  hire  five 
wagons,  and  for  them  to  be  prepared  for  an  offer. 

Keep  the  carpenters  well  at  the  tables,  bookcases,  and 
wardrobes,  the  woodcutters  to  their  work,  and  I  foresee 
a  plain  easy  beginning  to  our  critical  session. 

It  is  utterly  impossible  to  conceive  of  a  wider  contrast 
than  exists  between  the  Pinewoods  and  where  I  now 
am.  Since  the  first  settlement  of  Ohio,  there  has  been  no 
season  of  such  prolific  yield  as  the  present:  wheat,  oats, 
hay,  fruit,  corn,  everything  have  been  or  are  perfect.  I 
never  saw  such  corn  fields;  not  a  stack  missing,  high, 
strong  and  well-eared.  If  I  could  transfer  the  products 
of  this  county  to  Natchitoches  I  would  prefer  it  to  all 
the  mines  of  California.  Horses  and  cattle  roll  with  fat. 
I  hear  this  is  the  condition  of  things  in  all  this  region, 
and  God  grant  it  may  be  one  of  the  many  causes  to  teach 
men  of  prejudice  and  fanaticism  of  the  beautiful  rela 
tion  that  should  exist  between  parts  of  the  same  country. 

The  same  diversity  of  opinion  in  politics  exists  here 
as  elsewhere,  but  Lincoln  will  doubtless  carry  this  state, 
partly  from  the  diversion  caused  by  the  nomination  of 
the  three  adverse  candidates,  Douglas,  Breckenridge, 
and  Bell.  Mr.  Ewing  tells  me  he  was  consulted  about 
the  organization  of  the  Union  Party.  He  advised  it,  but 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860 259 

against  the  nomination  of  a  candidate- intending  to 
hold  their  strength  in  reserve,  to  be  cast  in  favor  of  the 
most  national  of  the  candidates  of  the  adverse  party.  He 
thinks  this  sentiment  forced  the  Republicans  to  reject 
Seward  and  take  Lincoln,  of  whom  he  speaks  in  moder 
ately  favorable  terms.  My  brother  John  is  in  the  north 
of  this  state,  where  a  more  violent  anti-slavery  feeling 
prevails,  and  where  a  moderate  conservatism  would  be 
styled  Dough-facism.  Therefore  he  is  radical.  I  shall 
see  him  this  summer,  but  can  not  expect  to  influence  him. 
Still,  I  know  that  even  if  Lincoln  be  elected,  he  will  not 
dare  do  anything  hostile  to  any  section.  Political  ma 
jority  has  passed  to  the  North,  and  they  are  determined 
to  have  it.  Let  us  hope  they  will  not  abuse  it. 

I  saw  Roelofson  in  Cincinnati,  and  though  not  entire 
ly  satisfied  at  my  not  going  to  London  he  had  to  say  that 
I  had  a  right  to  be  cautious  of  all  new  financial  schemes. 
He  will  go  himself  to  London.  I  hope  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  to  meet  at  Alexandria  to-day  will  not  modi 
fy  materially  my  plans,  but  even  if  they  do,  I  will  exe 
cute  their  plan  another  year,  and  if  we  find  the  mixed 
system  too  weak  for  success,  I  feel  assured  they  will 
yield.  If,  however,  they  devise  some  impracticable 
scheme  I  will  be  disposed  to  hesitate  to  risk  my  comfort 
and  reputation  in  a  doubtful  result.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.,  Sunday,  Aug.  19,  1860. 
DEAR  MR.  BOYD:  I  wrote  you  from  Lancaster.  I 
left  there  last  Wednesday  reached  here  Thursday  even 
ing  deposited  my  charge,  Miss  Whittington,  in  the  con 
vent  same  day,  and  have  been  two  days  well  employed 
here.  I  have  a  large  acquaintance  here,  and  was  there 
by  enabled  promptly  to  succeed  in  my  undertaking  of 
getting  arms  for  our  institution  -  orders  are  already  is- 


260  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

sued  for  the  shipment  to  Alexandria  of  145  cadet  mus 
kets,  making  with  55  on  hand  200-  10  long  range  min- 
nie  rifles,  with  sabre  bayonets  -  10  pistols  for  belts  -  200 
cartridge  boxes,  bayonet  scabbards,  belts,  etc.,  for  200 
cadets  -  10  sergeant's  swords  and  belts,  10  musicians' 
swords  and  belts  and  a  whole  lot  of  extra  springs,  screws, 
etc.,  to  keep  all  in  repair.  This  will  give  us  a  good  outfit 
for  210  cadets,  a  number  as  great  as  we  can  hope  for 
some  years  to  come.  I  did  want  ammunition  but  this  is 
not  allowed  by  law,  and  I  may  provide  some  at  New 
York,  wherewith  to  teach  the  practical  use  of  these 
modern  long  range  weapons. 

Of  course  politics  here  are  on  every  tongue,  but  I  keep 
aloof.  I  notice  a  few  facts,  which  to  me  are  far  more 
convincing  than  any  political  platform  or  dogmas.  All 
the  public  buildings  here  are  being  built  in  a  style  of 
magnificent  proportions  and  development,  which  looks 
like  increasing  rather  than  diminishing  the  proportions 
of  our  country.  All  the  hotels  are  cleaning  and  painting 
ready  for  the  usual  winter  influx  of  politicians.  There 
is  no  diminution  in  the  price  of  property,  rents,  or  even 
of  negroes. 

You  know  that  money  is  as  sensitive  as  the  mercury 
and  in  Europe  an  ugly  remark  of  Louis  Napoleon  will 
affect  stocks.  So  would  any  political  event  here,  if  peo 
ple  believed  it -but  nobody  believes  in  a  secession, 
though  they  talk  and  write  of  it.  Lincoln's  chances  of 
election  were  very  good,  but  two  events  have  just  tran 
spired  which  to  me  look  important.  In  New  York  the 
Bell  and  Douglas  parties  have  fused  -  and  have  made  a 
joint  elective  ticket,  which  can  cast  the  vote  of  New 
York  for  Douglas  or  Bell,  as  events  may  make  neces 
sary.  Again  Seward  at  Boston  made  another  of  his 
characteristic  speeches  in  which  he  renewed  his  asser- 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  261 

tion  of  the  irreconcilability  of  slave  and  free  labor. 
Now  if  Lincoln  remains  silent  as  he  doubtless  will,  the 
moderates  will  accuse  him  of  thinking  as  Seward  does, 
whereas  if  he  does,  as  he  should,  announce  his  belief  that 
our  government  as  framed  is  harmonious  in  all  its  parts, 
he  will  lose  the  Seward  wing  or  faction. 

There  have  been  magnificent  crops  made  in  all  the 
Northern  and  Middle  States  and  they  will  have  in 
abundance,  corn,  hay,  flour,  bacon,  and  those  thousand 
and  one  things  needed  at  the  South,  and  as  this  commer 
cial  dependence  and  exchange  should,  they  no  doubt 
will  have  a  good  effect,  in  showing  the  mutual  depend 
ence  of  all  the  parts  of  this  vast  and  magnificent  country, 
the  one  on  the  other.  Whilst  Lincoln  loses  strength  in 
the  way  I  have  stated,  Breckenridge  has  lost  vastly  by 
the  vote  of  his  own  state,  being  so  overwhelming  against 
him,  and  the  press  is  gradually  settling  into  identifying 
him  with  a  secession  faction.  Bet\veen  this  faction  of 
the  South  and  Lincoln  of  the  North,  Bell  or  Douglas  if 
united  as  they  have  done  in  the  New  York  may  be  elect 
ed  by  the  people  and  that  gives  us  four  years  of  peace, 
during  which  I  trust  this  ugly  feeling  of  suspicion  may 
subside,  a  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished.  .  . 

To-morrow  I  will  commence  the  purchase  of  books 
and  will  fill  out  your  list  first.  I  will  then  see  to  cloth 
ing  and  make  such  arrangements  that  in  the  future  we 
can  order  as  we  need  and  have  the  means  of  payment.  I 
wish  you  would  keep  me  advised  at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  of 
the  progress  of  things.  In  boxing  up  the  space  under 
the  stairway,  have  a  double  bolted  door  made  to  fasten 
to  an  upright  stancheon,  which  can  be  taken  out -this 
will  be  necessary,  as  we  must  store  there  large  boxes, 
which  will  require  a  large  opening.  Please  also  have 
the  space  E  of  the  hall  boxed  up  for  a  guard  room.  We 


262  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

will  need  that  for  storage  at  first.  In  all  November  we 
will  have  a  good  many  stores  to  receive,  distribute,  and 
issue.  Your  book  case  you  will  need  in  October,  as  I 
will  direct  the  shipment  of  books  in  September. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  Aug.  30,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND  :  I  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  letter 
of  1 8th  and  Mr.  Manning's  enclosing  the  amended  regu 
lations,  which  I  have  just  put  up  for  the  publisher  in 
Cincinnati.  I  must  send  them  off  at  once,  and  follow  in 
ten  days  to  prove  them.  Your  experience  with  the  reg 
ister  will  show  you  that  it  is  no  easy  task  and  it  will  take 
a  slice  off  my  visit  home.  One  reason  why  I  wanted 
them  with  me  was  because  I  was  in  New  York  a  week, 
during  which  I  could  have  had  them  printed  and 
proved.  Whereas  now  after  traveling  three  weeks  at 
heavy  personal  expenses,  I  must  allow  for  a  week  at 
Cincinnati. 

Of  course  I  submit  to  a  decision  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  with  as  good  a  grace  as  possible  because 
they  have  a  right  to  govern  according  to  their  judgment. 
I  think  they  mistake  in  giving  the  Academic  Board,  in 
its  capacity  as  such,  the  trouble,  labor,  etc.,  of  a  stand 
ing  court,  because  this  in  time  might  easily  and  well 
have  been  devolved  on  Assistant  Professors  or  even  ca 
dets,  to  take  and  record  testimony.  Whereas  now  on 
every  little  muss  the  whole  Academic  Board  must  sit. 
As  to  limiting  my  power,  at  the  same  time  it  limits  my 
responsibility,  and  I  can  let  things  slide  and  take  care  of 
themselves.  But  the  truth  is  that  these  changes  are  made 
not  for  the  good  of  the  institution,  but  because  there  is 
a  scramble  for  the  honors  supposed  to  be  coming  out  of 
its  success,  and  in  that  scramble  they  may  lose  the  prize 
itself.  Well  I  will  have  the  regulations  printed  and 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  263 

will  do  what  I  can  to  enforce  them,  but  of  course  my 
interest  is  materially  lessened  in  its  success. 

I  bought  your  books  in  New  York  and  paid  five  hun 
dred  dollars.  I  had  some  bought  in  paper  and  will  have 
them  bound  in  uniform  style.  There  will  be  over  four 
hundred  volumes,  and  substantially  cover  your  list.  I 
made  such  arrangements  that  we  can  order  other  books 
as  we  need  them,  the  price  to  be  governed  by  catalogue 
and  discount  according  to  time  of  payment.  New  York 
is  booming  full  of  people,  and  I  got  away  lest  I  should 
be  tempted  to  run  hopelessly  in  debt.  I  could  have  spent 
fifty  thousand  dollars  in  books  easier  than  five  hundred 
dollars.  I  will  enclose  with  this  a  list  of  books  bought 
for  you.  Smith  was  there  and  made  arrangements  so 
that  when  Red  River  rises  he  can  buy  his  books  and 
chemicals  and  have  them  sent  out. 

I  did  the  same  for  my  books  and  instruments,  but 
your  books  and  all  text  books  I  ordered  to  be  shipped  by 
October  i,  and  if  need  be  they  must  be  hauled  up  from 
Red  River  mouth.  I  don't  mind  Frank's 61  running  off  - 
he  can  easily  be  replaced,  though  I  do  want  to  econo 
mize  by  having  the  drummer  as  clerk,  for  it  is  physically 
impossible  for  me  to  do  the  writing- though  it  will 
have  to  be  as  large  again  as  last  year.  My  brother  John 
will  be  here  to  make  a  Republican  speech  tomorrow 
and  will  spend  Sunday  with  me.  From  him  I  shall 
learn  the  secrets  of  their  party,  of  course  they  will 
carry  Ohio,  as  the  Republicans  have  made  the  question 
very  narrow,  strong,  and  no  slavery  for  the  territories. 

I  could  tell  you  a  thousand  little  things  of  interest 
here  but  truly  I  have  been  a  little  troubled  with  the  re 
flection  that  I  have  another  year  of  doubt  and  uncer 
tainty  before  me.  I  know  that  you  are  so  full  of  zeal  to 

61  An  employee  at  the  Seminary ED. 


264  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

enlarge  the  sphere  of  your  duties,  that  you  will  not  be 
disposed  to  bother  yourself  with  the  duties  of  others,  but 
you  know  others  are  not  so  well  disposed. 

I  will  surely  return,  but  feel  some  scruples  about  my 
family,  as  it  will  involve  a  good  deal  of  expense.  Gra 
ham's  ceasing  to  be  vice-president  will  also  make  it  more 
difficult  for  me,  as  the  Board  does  not  act  in  reason  to 
me.  Whenever  I  act  and  any  family  is  offended  they 
effectively  reverse  me.  They  yield  to  any  outside  pres 
sure  -  and  yet  relieve  me  from  none  of  the  duties  of 
treasurer,  clerk,  quartermaster,  storekeeper,  and  general 
drudge,  for  which  I  was  not  employed.  This  is  true 
and  yet  Manning  writes  me  of  the  great  confidence  they 
have  in  me  officially  and  individually.  They  feel  that 
they  can  use  me  as  they  choose.  Maybe  -  excuse  this 
growl  -  I'll  write  you  a  letter  from  the  sunshine  and  rich 
fields  of  Ohio  in  a  day  or  two. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  Aug.  30,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  wrote  you  and  Mr.  Whittington 
from  Washington  of  my  entire  success  in  procuring  a 
full  and  ample  supply  of  arms.  Thence  I  wrent  to  New 
York,  where  Smith  joined  me  from  Norfolk  and  there 
I  purchased  clothing  for  next  term,  books  for  Mr. 
Boyd's  library,  text-books,  and  very  little  for  my  de 
partment  of  engineering.  These  will  not  be  needed  for 
some  time,  so  I  confined  myself  to  selecting  instruments, 
books,  etc.,  with  prices  so  that  I  can  order  them,  with 
a  foreknowledge  of  cost.  I  left  New  York  on  Sun 
day  arrived  here  Tuesday  and  yesterday,  Wednesday, 
received  from  Mr.  Boyd  the  budget  of  regulations 
amended. 

I  was  in  hopes  that  the  Board  would  forbear  another 
year,  and  if  we  had  failed  to  realize  our  promises,  that 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  265 

then  the  change  would  be  applied,  whilst  admitting  our 
entire  success,  they  clip  my  wings,  and  make  me  occupy 
the  unhandy  position  of  servant  to  the  Board  of  Super 
visors,  and  Academic  Board  at  the  same  time.  I  know 
well  your  opinion,  but  regret  that  you  saw  proper  to 
resign  the  vice-presidency,  because  the  Board  will  con 
fer  it  on  some  one  else,  who  may  still  further  complicate 
two  incompatible  systems  into  one,  and  make  a  hotch 
potch  that  may  not  only  defeat  the  original  design,  but 
bring  reproach  on  all  connected  with  it. 

Nevertheless  I  will  have  these  regulations  printed 
and  will  come  down  in  October.  I  feel  more  embar 
rassment  on  the  score  of  the  removal  of  my  family.  I 
shall  not  attempt  it  till  I  know  that  Red  River  is  navi 
gable,  for  I  must  procure  furniture  and  supplies  for  the 
new  house.  These  will  cost  me  near  two  thousand  dol 
lars,  a  sum  I  cannot  afford  to  risk  at  this  era  of  my  life. 

Manning's  letter  to  me  expresses  great  confidence  in 
my  administration,  but  you  know  that  a  simple  para 
graph  of  the  regulations  changed  may  initiate  an  im 
practicable  system62  that  no  one  man  can  enforce,  and 
that  sooner  or  later  may  result  in  my  downfall.  Of 
course  as  a  prudent  man  I  ought  to  look  ahead  as  far  as 
possible.  I  doubt  if  the  cadets  would  submit  to  Val- 
las's  government,  though  some  native  of  Louisiana 
could  steer  the  middle  channel  now  adopted  better  than 
I  can.  Vallas  has  a  way  of  hinting  and  insinuating 
that  is  peculiarly  offensive,  and  I  doubt  if  Smith  will 
teach  a  class  under  him.  If  Vallas  has  no  assistance, 
and  Smith  refuse  to  teach  a  class  under  Vallas,  we  will 
be  at  a  dead  lock  the  first  day  of  our  next  session. 

62  The  regulations  were  amended  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  faculty  more 
independence  of  the  superintendent  as  well  as  a  voice  in  the  control  of  academic 
affairs  and  in  matters  of  discipline.  Dr.  Vallas  was  the  principal  advocate  of 
this  policy.  —  ED. 


266  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

My  wife  and  children  are  all  well  and  comfortably 
placed,  and  I  hate  to  move  them,  though  Mrs.  Sher 
man  having  despaired  of  my  ever  living  here  at  Lan 
caster  is  willing  to  go  south.  .  . 

The  following  memorandum  or  rough  draft  of  a  letter  or 
speech  was  found  among  General  Graham's  papers  after  his 
death.  It  gives  his  views  of  the  changes  which  Sherman  mentions 
in  the  letters  printed  above.  It  was  probably  written  when  the 
amendments  to  the  regulations  were  being  considered. 

MEMORANDUM  BY  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

[Summer  of  1860] 

Mr.  Manning's  whole  course  of  conduct,  his  verbal 
profession  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding,  shows  a  deep 
rooted  hostility,  embittered  by  personal  pique,  to  the 
military  government  and  character  of  this  school.  To 
the  superintendent  he  seems  to  have  a  badly  concealed 
personal,  sectional,  political  antipathy.  I  have  tried 
to  shut  my  eyes  to  this,  and  to  think  differently,  but  the 
conviction  is  irresistible.  The  sneering  tone  and  manner 
in  which  he  said  to  me  last  winter,  when  I  submitted  to 
his  inspection  my  draft  of  an  act  for  the  organization 
and  government  of  the  Seminary  as  a  State  Military 
Academy,  "he  is  to  be  a  Colonel,  is  he!"  was  alone 
enough  to  satisfy  me  of  this,  without  the  one  thousand 
other  evidences  that  he  has  given. 

How  inconsistent  with  the  dignity,  gravity,  caution, 
and  circumspection  which  should  surround  him  in  his 
character,  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  is 
his  boasting  declaration  in  the  Board,  that  he  had  ad 
vised  Dr.  Vallas  orally,  and  in  writing,  to  disobey  an 
order  of  the  superintendent,  thus  striking  at  the  very 
roots  of  all  government,  of  any  kind  whatever,  in  the 
institution !  And  then  telling  us  that  he  had  that  morn 
ing  insulted  Dr.  Vallas  for  not  following  his  advice. 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  267 

His  added  remark  that  now  that  he  had  found  he  was 
wrong  he  must  apologize  to  Dr.  Vallas  is  no  palliation 
for  so  total  a  want  of  every  attribute  becoming  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  His  declaration  that 
he  was  ignorant  of  the  existence  of  the  regulation  under 
which  the  superintendent  issued  the  order  to  the  pro 
fessors  which  he  advised  Dr.  Vallas  to  disobey,  is  no 
palliation. 

It  is  his  duty  to  know  the  regulations.  He  had  the 
regulations  in  his  possession  for  more  than  a  month  last 
winter,  when  he  took  advantage  of  my  courtesy  and  con 
fidence  in  placing  them  in  his  hands  for  his  perusal,  and 
refused  to  deliver  them  up  when  I  wrote  to  the  super 
intendent  to  call  on  him  for  them  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  them  with  him  to  New  Orleans  .  .  .  to  have 
printed  ready  for  the  use  of  the  school  on  ist  January 
last. 

So  far  from  apologizing  to  Dr.  Vallas,  as  he  had 
said  in  the  Board  he  should  have  to  do  for  speaking  to 
him  so  insultingly  as  he  said  he  had  done  in  the  fore 
noon,  I  am  informed  by  gentlemen  who  were  on  the 
outside  of  the  hall,  that  on  the  night  of  3ist  July  that  he 
spoke  to  both  Dr.  Vallas  and  the  superintendent  in  re 
gard  to  matters  pending  before  the  Board  in  a  most  im 
perious  and  dictorial  tone  and  manner,  amounting  in 
the  whole  to  a  prohibition  to  them  to  take  any  further 
step  in  regard  to  those  matters  in  opposition  to  his  wish, 
although  all  that  they  had  done  was  simply  in  compli 
ance  with  instructions  to  them  from  the  Board  of  Super 
visors.  But  as  Mr.  Manning  was  not  present  at  the  ses 
sion  of  the  Board  at  which  these  instructions  had  been 
given  they  had  not  received  the  imprimatur  of  his  sic 
volo,  sic  jubeo. 

As  to  Mr.  Manning  not  understanding  the  impro- 


268  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

priety  of  his  course  towards  Dr.  Vallas  until  after  he 
was  in  the  session  of  the  Board  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  he 
was  first  met  on  his  arrival  there  on  Monday  forenoon 
by  another  professor  to  whom  he  expressed  his  surprise 
at  seeing  him  in  his  uniform.  That  professor  explained 
to  him  the  authority  of  the  superintendent  for  issuing 
the  order  to  the  professors  to  wear  their  uniform  at  the 
examination,  and  the  propriety  of  their  doing  so.  Mr. 
Manning  and  myself  had  had  a  similar  conversation  at 
his  office  several  days  before.  So  that  he  understood 
the  whole  thing  [before]  he  met  Dr.  Vallas,  and  before 
he  came  into  the  session  of  the  Board  on  either  Monday 
or  Tuesday  afternoons  -  and  it  all  only  strengthens  my 
conviction  that  the  whole  thing  was  only  intended  as  a 
lever  with  which  to  impair  the  authority,  influence,  and 
usefulness  of  the  superintendent  with  a  view  to  produc 
ing  as  soon  as  possible  a  dissolution  of  his  connection 
with  the  institution,  and  the  overturning  of  its  practical, 
utilitarian,  and  military  character,  and  establishing  on 
its  ruins  a  high  sounding  program  for  a  grand  university 
of  empty  halls,  for  that  programme  requires  a  larger 
acquaintance  with  Latin  and  Greek  before  a  young  man 
can  enter  it,  than  the  most  of  our  southwestern  young 
men  have  acquired  when  they  leave  college. 

Dr.  Smith  has  never  concealed  his  opposition  to  the 
military  character  of  this  institution,  but  only  relaxed 
it  under  the  influence  of  a  conviction  of  its  popularity. 
He  has  said  openly  "it  will  break  down  in  a  year  or  two, 
and  then  we'll  take  hold  of  it  and  make  something  out 
of  it."  The  fullest  meeting  of  the  Board  that  we  have 
ever  had  has  after  ample  discussion,  declared  with  only 
two  dissenting  voices  that  this  shall  be  "a  Literary  and 
Scientific  Institution  under  a  Military  System  of  Gov 
ernment  on  a  Programme  and  plan  similar  to  that  of  the 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  269 

Virginia  Military  Institute  at  Lexington."  The  people 
of  the  state  have  sanctioned,  and  the  legislature  has  rati 
fied  it. 

Doctor  Smith  and  Mr.  Manning  have  both  admitted 
to  me  that  they  believed  it  was  the  popular  idea.  Is  it 
right  in  them  then  -  shall  they  be  permitted  to  continue 
to  pursue  this  step-father  course  towards  this  institution 
of  undermining  it  in  this  stealthy  manner  by  giving  it 
every  side  blow  that  their  position  enables  them  to  inflict 
on  it?  For  I  warn  gentlemen  now,  who  desire  to  main 
tain  the  present  character  of  the  school,  but  yet  who  may 
be  carried  away  by  other  considerations  to  vote  for  these 
measures,  that  that  will  be  the  inevitable  result  of  them. 
Let  them  not  then  say  hereafter  that  they  would  not 
have  voted  for  them  if  they  had  thought  that  such  would 
be  the  result.  I  tell  them  now  that  these  are  but  the 
entering  wedge,  blow  after  blow  on  which  will  be  struck, 
until  the  present  superintendent  of  the  institution  is 
driven  from  it,  the  friends  of  its  present  form  of  govern 
ment  around  this  Board  either  entirely  withdrawn,  un 
der  the  influence  of  that  power  behind  the  throne  which 
is  so  manifestly  anxious  to  have  itself  considered  greater 
than  the  throne  itself,  or  else  reduced  to  so  helpless  a 
minority  as  to  form  no  obstacle  to  the  designs  of  its  step 
fathers  on  this  institution.  . 

But  I  have  too  much  confidence  in  the  present  govern 
or  of  the  state  not  to  hope  and  believe  that  he  will  not 
countenance  any  measures  calculated  to  frustrate  the 
wish  of  the  people,  or  to  impair  the  usefulness  to  them 
of  this  institution.  I  claim  as  much  right  to  speak  to 
and  of  the  present  governor  as  any  other  man  in  the 
state  -  all  my  interests  are  in  it  -  my  manhood's  life  has 
been  spent  here,  my  children  are  born  here -what  of 
property  I  possess  has  been  acquired  here.  On  another. 


270  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

but  in  my  estimation  inferior,  score  I  claim  to  stand  in 
that  respect  on  a  footing  of  perfect  equality  with  any 
other  citizen  of  the  state.  I  voted  to  place  him  in  his 
present  position,  and  I  recommended  every  other  man 
that  I  could  to  do  the  same  thing.  I  have  known  him 
longer,  with  one  exception,  than  any  other  member  of 
this  Board -for  thirty-one  years  I  have  watched  his 
course  with  kindly  interest,  and  there  is  no  man  in  the 
state  who  feels  less  unpleasantly  than  I  do  at  the  success 
and  prosperity  with  which  a  kind  providence  has  re 
warded  the  exertion  of  his  energies.  I  repeat  then  that 
I  have  too  much  confidence  in  the  present  governor  to 
believe  that  what  I  am  satisfied  are  the  misguided  de 
signs  of  Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Manning  in  regard  to  this 
institution,  will  meet  with  his  approbation,  and  I  trust 
that  the  members  of  this  Board  will  not  suffer  them 
selves  to  be  influenced  by  any  outside  considerations  to 
vote  for  measures  of  so  fatal  a  tendency  to  the  success 
and  the  usefulness  of  this  institution.  .  . 

Professor  Boyd  who  was  left  in  charge  of  the  Seminary  dur 
ing  the  vacation  made  frequent  reports  to  Sherman.  The  fol 
lowing  letter  is  selected  as  typical. 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 

Academy,  Alexandria,  Aug.  30,  1860. 
SIR:  .  .  .  Altho'  nothing  new  has  transpired 
here,  still  I  had  better  drop  you  a  line  to  say  that  every 
thing  is  going  on  well.  Floyd  has  nearly  finished  the 
tables,  and  I  think  there  is  no  doubt  of  his  making,  in 
proper  time,  all  the  shelves  or  presses,  and  also  fixing 
the  stairway.  He  has  worked  faithfully  since  you  left. 
I  will  see,  too,  that  Mills  fixes  the  partitions.  He  is 
now  busily  at  work  at  the  professors'  houses,  and  though 
he  seems  a  little  behindhand  with  them,  he  can  still  com- 


THE  VACATION  OF   1860  271 

plete  them  in  time.  You  know  that  carpenters  have  had 
a  poor  chance  to  get  lumber  this  summer,  as  the  drought 
and  scarcity  of  water  have  stopped  what  St.  Ange  calls 
the  sewing  machines. 

I  have  kept  the  negro  boys  constantly  getting  wood, 
within  your  Seminary  enclosure.  A  good  deal  has  been 
cut  and  hauled,  but  the  timber  is  so  heavy  that  you  can 
scarcely  miss  it.  I  have  perhaps  had  cut  down  more  of 
the  pine  trees  than  you  wished,  and  I  believe  it  would 
be  well  to  cut  them  all  down  at  once.  In  the  winter  we 
occasionally  have  some  terrific  blows,  and  when  once  a 
pine  forest  has  been  thinned  out,  it  is  so  easy  for  those 
left  standing  to  come  down.  Ledoux  and  Poussin  of 
fer  to  hire  a  boy  apiece.  What  say  you?  I  think  they 
might  be  profitably  employed. 

Cooper  has  not  yet  put  up  the  chimneys,  as  you  direct 
ed,  but  he  makes  such  a  fair  promise  that  they  will  be 
fixed  soon,  that  I  am  inclined  to  wait  with  him  a  little 
longer.  Have  no  fears  about  them,  for  either  he  shall 
fix  them  or  they  shall  be  run  up  with  sheet  iron. 

I  have  bargained  with  a  carpenter  to  put  up  my  book 
case,  and  it  shall  be  ready.  By  the  way,  we  have  com 
menced  begging  for  books,  maps,  etc.,  for  a  library. 
Can't  you  do  something  in  Ohio?  How  do  you  think 
it  would  do  to  have  a  circular  letter  printed  and  sent 
over  the  state,  calling  on  the  public  to  send  us  all  books 
and  specimens  of  minerals  and  fossils  that  they  can 
spare?  If  you  write  a  short  letter  to  that  effect  in  your 
capacity  as  superintendent,  I  think  I  could  get  it  printed 
in  Alexandria  free  of  charge,  and  it  might  meet  with 
much  success. 

Politics  is  beginning  to  wax  pretty  warm.  Bell's 
prospects  are  brightening  fast,  and  there  is  no  doubt  of 
his  carrying  this  state.  My  own  impression  is  (and  I 


272  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

am  sorry  to  say  it) ,  that  Breckenridge  will  carry  but  one 
Southern  State,  and  that  is  South  Carolina.  Nor  would 
he  carry  that  state  if  the  vote  were  submitted  to  the  peo 
ple.  Bell's  party  is  very  strong  all  over  the  South,  and 
even  Douglas  has  many  more  supporters  than  the  blind 
advocates  of  Breckenridge  can  see.  Whilst  I  deprecate 
the  unfortunate  split  at  Charleston  and  Baltimore,  and 
think  the  territorial  question  entirely  illtimed,  still  as 
the  issue  has  been  thrust  upon  us,  and  I  believe  Breck- 
enridge's  views  to  be  correct  although  they  may  never 
meet  with  a  practical  application,  I  shall  vote  for  him. 
If  we  who  approve  his  views  fail  to  support  him,  then 
the  people  of  the  North  would  say  that  the  South  disap 
proves  those  views,  when  really  a  large  majority  of  us 
think  it  hard  that  there  should  be  any  law  which  either 
expressly  or  impliedly  denies  us  equal  rights  with  our 
northern  brethren  to  the  common  property  of  the  whole 
union.  We  don't  wish  to  appear  on  the  statute  books  as 
inferiors. 

I  am  beginning  to  think  that  Lincoln  will  not  be  elect 
ed.  If  he  should  be,  there  is  no  telling  what  trouble  we 
may  have.  I  do  not  believe  any  state  will  formally 
secede,  but  disunion  might  be  brought  about  in  many 
ways.  In  many  places  in  the  South,  whoever  accepts  or 
hold  office  under  Lincoln  will  be  lynched.  He  (Lin 
coln)  will  of  course  attempt  to  enforce  the  laws;  that 
attempt  will  be  resisted,  and  once  the  strife  is  begun 
God  only  knows  where  it  will  stop.  What  is  the  use 
of  that  Republican  Party?  As  you  say,  slavery  will 
always  go  where  it  pays,  in  spite  of  Sewardism,  and  it 
will  never  go  where  it  does  not  pay,  in  spite  of  Yancey- 
ism.  Let  the  law  of  nature  say  you  shall  not  take  your 
slave  here  or  there,  but  let  not  a  clause  of  the  Consti 
tution,  or  an  enactment  of  Congress,  say  it.  It  then 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  273 

becomes  a  threat  hurled  by  one  section  at  the  other,  and 
threats  ill-become  the  people  of  a  union.  But  whatever 
be  the  result  of  the  election,  let  us  hope  there  will  be  no 
disunion.  Rather,  like  Governor  Wise,  radical  as  he  is, 
let  us  settle  our  troubles  in  the  union  and  not  out  of  it. 

The  burning  of  the  towns  in  Texas  has  produced  much 
excitement  here,  and  a  negro  was  arrested  near  Nacog- 
doches,  Tex.,  who  said  that  among  other  towns  to  be 
burnt  soon  was  Alexandria,  La. ;  consequently  a  guard 
is  stationed  to  watch  for  the  coming  incendiary,  and  no 
doubt  Bootjack  (Biossat)  and  Co.63  will  be  much  disap 
pointed  if  he  doesn't  make  his  appearance.  .  . 

I  have  received  several  letters  making  applications 
for  admission  of  cadets,  and  others  asking  for  informa 
tion.  General  Graham's  unfortunate  publication  last 
fall  -  that  only  five  could  be  admitted  from  each  sena 
torial  district  -  is  still  injuring  us ;  and  we  have  no  money 
with  which  to  advertise,  I  begged  Boyce  to  publish  in 
his  paper  next  Monday  an  article  enlightening  the  pub 
lic  on  that  point,  muskets,  etc.,  with  the  request  that  all 
the  city  and  parish  papers  publish  it,  and  he  promised 
to  do  his  part.  .  . 

[P.S.]  The  crops  here  are  almost  a  total  failure. 
Very  little  corn  and  sugar,  and  only  about  one-third  the 
usual  crops  of  cotton  will  be  raised.  Suppose  there  is 
disunion,  will  they  keep  all  the  corn  north  of  Mason's 
and  Dixon's  fence?  .  .  .  Don't  think  of  the  river 
being  in  boating  order  in  October.  I  will  see  to  the 
wagons. 

From  the  Alexandria  [La.]  Constitutional,  September,  1860, 
the  following  notice  is  taken.  It  was  written  by  General 
Graham  who  prepared  most  of  the  press  notices  of  the  Seminary. 

We  are  informed  that  Col.  Sherman  has  succeeded 

63  Editors  of  local  newspapers.  —  ED. 


274  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

in  procuring  at  Washington  a  large  number  of  minnie 
rifle-muskets  made  especially  for  the  use  of  cadets,  to 
gether  with  other  arms  and  accoutrements,  so  that  he  can 
now  fully  equip  a  corps  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  cadets. 

That  looks  like  getting  the  sons  of  Louisiana  ready  for 
any  emergency  of  Civil  War  or  servile  insurrection  that 
may  arise;  the  thanks  of  the  people  of  the  state  are  due 
Colonel  Sherman  for  his  promptness  and  efficiency,  not 
only  in  this  important  matter,  but  in  everything  that 
pertains  to  the  good  of  the  Seminary. 

We  also  learn  that  steps  are  being  made  to  secure 
Bragg's  famous  "Buena  Vista  Battery,"  which  gave  the 
Mexicans  "a  little  more  grape,"  and  the  presidency  to 
General  Taylor.  Colonel  Bragg  generously  offers  to 
purchase  it  for  the  Seminary  if  the  authorities  at 
Washington  can  be  induced  to  part  with  it.64 

While  speaking  of  the  Seminary,  we  should  correct 
a  wrong  impression  in  regard  to  the  admission  of  cadets 
for  next  session.  It  is  generally  believed  that  no  one  can 
be  admitted  who  has  not  obtained,  before  the  beginning 
of  a  session,  a  special  appointment  from  the  superintend 
ent;  this  is  not  so.  The  session  commences  the  first  of 
November,  and  anyone  between  fifteen  and  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  with  a  knowledge  of  the  primary  English 
branches,  who  presents  himself  in  person  at  the  Semi 
nary  may  be  received  as  a  cadet.  .  . 

We  will  also  warn  the  public  not  to  judge  of  the  course 
of  study  by  that  of  any  other  military  institution,  where 
very  little  attention  is  paid  to  literary  studies.  The 
Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  Seminary  being  firmly  of 
the  opinion  that  a  thorough  study  of  language  is  the  one 
of  the  best  means  of  mental  discipline  and  development, 
has  determined  that  every  facility  shall  be  given  for  lit- 

64  The  battery  was  not  obtained.  —  ED. 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860 275 

erary  culture.     Hence  there  will  be  taught  a  very  ex 
tensive  course  of  ancient  and  modern  languages.     .     . 

The  regulations  as  revised  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  were 
sent  to  Sherman  who  had  them  printed  in  Cincinnati.  The  sup 
plies  purchased  in  the  East  were  sent  by  water  to  New  Orleans 
for  transportation  shipment  up  the  Mississippi  and  Red  Rivers. 
The  correspondence  of  September  and  October  relates  mainly  to 
the  preparations  being  made  for  the  approaching  opening  of  the 
second  session. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

LANCASTER,  O.,  Sept.  7,  1860. 

DEAR  BOYD  :  I  am  still  here,  but  already  a  little  tired 
at  "nothing  to  do"  and  therefore  for  want  of  better  em 
ployment  I  begin  to  imagine  all  sorts  of  troubles  to  be 
encountered  and  overcome  the  coming  year.  I  will  en 
deavor  to  meet  the  books  and  clothing  in  New  Orleans, 
and  if  the  river  be  navigable,  all  right;  if  not,  I  will 
bring  them  up  to  Snaggy  Point,  or  even  the  mouth,  and 
then  arrange  to  haul.  The  bedding  will  be  bulky,  books 
heavy,  and  clothing  so  so,  and  if  all  reach  New  Orleans 
when  I  calculate  we  can  make  good  load. 

The  regulations  are  in  the  hands  of  the  publishers  in 
Cincinnati  and  instead  of  pitching  in,  they,  of  course, 
write  back  for  some  minor  instructions  about  eight  dol 
lars  and  twelve  dollars.  The  result  will  be  I  must  go 
down  and  stay  there  during  the  printing. 

I  have  heard  a  good  deal  of  political  speaking,  and  the 
conclusion  at  which  I  have  arrived  is  that  whoever  is 
elected  will  be  installed  and  forthwith  will  be  renewed 
the  war  of  secession.  The  nigger  is  a  blind,  and  though 
all  the  politicians  pretend  to  believe  in  a  crisis,  they 
know  it  is  all  humbug. 

I  was  over  yesterday  to  see  Blondin  walk  his  rope  in 
a  neighboring  village.  There  was  an  immense  crowd 


276  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

and  Blondin  walked  his  rope,  eight  hundred  feet  from 
steeple  to  steeple,  right  over  the  housetops  and  streets. 
At  Cincinnati  or  Orleans  I  will  try  and  get  a  succes 
sor  to  Frank  but  I  suppose  we  had  best  train  some 
darkey,  because  boys  are  restless  and  overestimate  their 
importance.  I  could  get  a  host  of  them  here,  but  if  acci 
dent  befall  them  as  was  the  case  with  some  I  took  to  New 
Orleans  in  1853,  the  parents  [would]  have  a  feeling 
against  me. 

F.  W.  SMITH  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

NORFOLK,  September  9,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  BOYD :  Your  letter  was  received  today  and 
though  much  of  its  news  has  been  anticipated  by  ad 
vices  from  Sherman  .  .  .  I  think  if  I  did  not  intend 
giving  myself  the  pleasure  of  a  charming  drive  this  af 
ternoon,  with  a  still  more  charming  young  lady,  I  would, 
for  want  of  nothing  else  to  do,  work  myself  up  into  a 
muss.  But  that  would  rumple  my  shirt  collar,  so  I  will 
even  answer  you  very  coolly,  viz : 

Your  kind  proposition  about  assisting  Vallas  your 
self,  I  cannot  allow  myself  to  entertain  for  one  moment. 
In  the  first  place,  you  would  transfer  part  of  your  class 
to  me  and  thus  break  that  unity  of  mode  of  instruction 
so  necessary  to  those  in  the  same  class.  And  really  too 
I  am  but  little  prepared  to  conduct  any  but  your  lower 
classes.  Indeed  I  thank  you  very  much  and  appreciate 
the  disinterested  kindness  of  your  offer ;  but  I  think  your 
other  idea  far  preferable.  I  would  therefore  pre 
fer  ...  that,  if  the  Board  deem  that  the  finances 
of  the  institution  do  not  justify  the  employment  of  an 
assistant  to  Vallas,  and  if  they  deem  it  right  that  I  should 
take  some  class  or  other,  that  they  will,  for  the  coming 
session,  attach  to  my  chair  the  "Branch  of  Natural  Phi 
losophy."  This  branch  will  be  confined  to  those  of  last 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  277 

year's  class  who  will  be  passed  to  the  third  class  of  '60- 
'61.  This  will  give  me,  in  connection  with  my  duties 
as  commandant  and  a  barely  possible  chance  of  a  small 
chemistry  class,  fully  my  share  of  work.  If  further 
assistance  is  still  needed,  I  will  take  any  class,  which  the 
Academic  Board  may  see  fit  to  give  me.  I  will  not 
specify  what  that  class  may  be.  The  Academic  Board, 
as  fixee  of  the  course  of  study,  should  best  determine. 
Please  do  not  let  General  Graham  make  this  proposition 
to  the  Board  as  coming  from  me;  he  may  state,  if  he 
pleases  my  concurrence  in  it.  My  reason  for  not  offer 
ing  any  assistance  is  simply  this :  I  have  no  official  right 
to  know  that  my  services  will  be  needed,  as  at  the  time 
I  left  the  Seminary,  it  had  been  decided  that  two  assist 
ants  should  be  appointed,  the  only  question  being  as  to 
their  mode  of  appointment.  Our  weather  cock  board 
has  changed  all  this  since  I  left,  and  I  do  not  choose  to 
let  my  services  or  my  offer  of  such  follow  their  vagaries. 
General  Graham  and  yourself  both  know  my  willing 
ness  to  assist  the  Seminary  in  any  proper  way.  I  have 
assisted  Vallas,  I  would  cheerfully  and  willingly  assist 
you,  I  have  helped  Sherman.  I  even  offered  to  help  St. 
Ange  until  he  informed  me  that  he  was  Professor  of 
Tongues.  .  .  I  am  only  repeating  my  willingness  to 
do  what  I  can,  though  I  do  not  profess  to  say  that  I 
prefer  doing  that  to  confining  myself  to  my  own  depart 
ment.  You  can  let  General  G.  see  this  letter,  and  he 
may  do  what  he  thinks  best.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  Sept.  16,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND:     I  came  up  from  Cincinnati  last 

evening,  whither  I  had  gone  to  prove  the  sheets  of  our 

regulations  of  which  I  will  have  one  thousand  copies 

fifty  of  which  with  a  blank  leaf  at  the  end  of  each  arti- 


278  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

cle,  so  that  amendments  may  be  made  and  noted  as  they 
arise.  I  will  not  have  them  bound  but  covered  with 
stiff  paper.  I  doubt  if  I  can  send  any  till  about  the  ist 
of  October  when  or  soon  after  I  will  have  all  boxed 
and  shipped  from  Cincinnati  to  New  Orleans,  where 
about  October  15  I  will  meet  them  and  our  other  stores. 

By  the  way  on  my  arrival  last  night  I  found  your  let 
ter  of  September  3,  which  put  me  in  possession  of  a  cor 
rect  knowledge  of  the  status  of  things  on  that  day,  ena 
bling  me  to  prepare:  the  bedding,  80  mattresses,  cases, 
etc.,  500  volumes  of  books,  1000  of  text-books,  arms,  ac 
coutrements,  etc.,  about  8  boxes  of  150  Ibs.  each,  etc.,  will 
have  to  be  transported  up  before  November  i.  The 
clothing  can  follow.  If  Red  River  be  dead  low  as  you 
say  and  on  my  arrival  at  New  Orleans  my  information 
confirm  it,  I  will  write  you  to  hire  from  four  to  five 
wagons  under  one  leader  if  possible,  to  meet  me  at  the 
mouth  [of  Red  River]  on  a  certain  day  say  about  the 
2Oth,  with  my  horse  all  saddled,  when  I  can  load  the 
wagons  and  conduct  them  to  the  Seminary.  See  Coats 
and  agree  on  a  price  per  hundred  pounds,  but  don't  close 
a  bargain  till  the  last  moment.  Baden  who  has  the 
crapshop  in  Pineville  has  a  fine  team  and  wagon,  the 
very  thing  for  a  load  of  mattresses. 

We  have  hit  on  an  unfavorable  year-  low  river,  un 
defined  powers,  unfortunate  political  crisis,  unlimited 
expectations  on  the  part  of  the  community,  but  all  these 
must  only  stimulate  us  to  more  strenuous  exertions.  I 
know  this  year  will  decide  our  fate,  another  the  fate  of 
the  institution  confided  to  us,  and  I  will  give  it  all  my 
best  energies  and  experiences,  but  I  confess  the  combin 
ation  of  ill  influences  are  calculated  to  damp  my  ardor. 

I  cannot  take  my  family  from  their  present  comfort 
able  and  bounteously  supplied  home,  for  those  desolate 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  279 

pine  woods,  but  I  will  try  and  cause  the  coming  session 
to  pass  off  as  smoothly  and  harmoniously  as  the  past, 
which  can  only  be  done  by  making  the  studies  and  duties 
flow  in  an  uninterrupted  current,  from  the  first  to  the 
last  day  of  the  session. 

J.  has  not  the  requisite  energy  and  I  fear  he  will  be  so 
cramped  with  debt  as  to  impair  what  little  efficiency  he 
does  possess.  His  department  is  all  important,  but  as  I 
regard  it,  he  is  independent  of  me.  He  is  steward  by 
lawful  appointment.  I  am  only  as  superintendent  or 
kind  of  supervisor.  "Supervision"  is  the  word,  and  if 
any  failure  occur  in  his  department,  I  shall  claim  to  be 
absolved  from  all  responsibility.  By  a  personal  intro 
duction  to  my  personal  friend  in  New  Orleans,  I  gave 
him  credit,  which  I  fear  he  has  abused,  and  it  shall  not 
occur  again.  I  cannot  incur  personal  liability  in  that 
manner  again. 

I  think  the  three  boys  can  get  out  enough  wood  for  the 
winter  and  if  the  fallen  timber  encumber  the  ground  too 
much  we  can  make  heaps  or  burn  it  up,  so  as  to  be  ready 
next  spring  for  embellishment.  I  will  try  to  have  one 
or  two  white  boys  for  drummer  and  fifer  who  can  clean 
the  section  rooms,  tend  the  lamps,  and  do  some  writing. 
I  have  not  got  them  yet  but  will  try  at  Cincinnati  and 
New  Orleans  on  my  way  down.  I  could  get  them  here, 
but  I  feel  a  delicacy  in  taking  white  men  from  here  lest 
they  should  excite  undue  suspicion. 

I  admit  I  am  uneasy  about  political  causes  or  rather 
local  prejudices.  Reason  can  be  combated,  but  suspicion 
cannot.  Here  I  must  resist  the  opinion  that  the  South 
is  aggressive,  that  they  have  made  compacts  of  compro 
mise  of  1821  and  1850  which  are  broken  and  slavery 
made  national  instead  of  local  -  in  the  South  that  the 
North  are  aggressive  endangering  southern  safety  and 


28o  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

prosperity,  both  factions  argue  their  sides  with  warmth 
and  an  array  of  facts,  that  is  hard  to  answer  and  I  must 
content  myself  with  awaiting  the  result. 

I  send  you  a  speech  made  by  my  brother  John  in 
Philadelphia  a  few  days  ago.  I  heard  him  here  and 
had  much  talk  with  him,  and  he  told  me  he  should  pre 
pare  his  speech  for  Philadelphia  with  care  and  stand  by 
it.  Therefore  this  speech  is  the  Republican  view  of  this 
section  of  the  Confederacy. 

An  unexampled  prosperity  now  prevails  here  and  it  is 
a  pity  that  so  much  division  pervades  the  Democratic 
Party,  as  it  enables  the  Republicans  to  succeed.  Even 
Bennett's  Herald  admits  the  probability  of  Lincoln's 
success.  But  I  would  prefer  Bell  to  succeed  because  it 
would  give  us  four  years  truce,  but  I  fear  it  is  not  to  be. 
But  I  am  equally  convinced  that  Lincoln's  success  would 
be  attended  with  no  violence.  He  is  a  man  of  nerve,  and 
is  connected  by  marriage  and  friendship  with  the  Pres- 
tons  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia,  and  I  have  no  doubt  he 
will  administer  the  government  with  moderation.  No 
practical  question  can  arise,  whereby  men  of  the  South 
would  be  declared  on  the  statute  book  as  unequal  to  their 
northern  brethren.  There  is  now  abundant  slave  terri 
tory  and  we  have  no  other  land  fit  for  it,  but  Texas,  and 
that  is  all  slave  territory  by  treaty. 

If  we  go  to  Civil  War  for  a  mere  theory,  we  deserve 
a  monarch  and  that  would  be  the  final  result,  for  you 
know  perfectly  well  the  South  is  no  more  a  unit  on  that 
question  than  the  North  -  Kentucky  and  Carolina  have 
no  sympathy.  I  heard  Leslie  Combs  speak  at  Circleville 
a  few  days  ago,  and  his  language  would  have  been  Re 
publicanism  in  Carolina.  He  has  been  elected  clerk  by 
twenty-three  thousand  majority  in  Kentucky. 

In  Ohio  here  we  have  all  sorts  of  political  parties  and 
clubs,  but  it  is  admitted  that  it  will  vote  the  Republican 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  281 

ticket.  My  brother  has  no  opposition  at  all  in  his  dis 
trict,  and  is  therefore  helping  others  in  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey.  He  resides  at  Mansfield,  seventy-five 
miles  north  of  this.  I  will  go  up  to  visit  him  and  my 
sister  in  about  ten  days ;  but  as  to  modifying  his  opinions 
further  I  cannot  expect  it. 

I  wanted  him  to  repudiate  openly  the  "irrepressible 
conflict"  doctrine  -  but  he  has  not  done  so,  though  he 
made  a  left  handed  wipe  at  Seward  and  Giddings  as  ex 
tremists.  These  men  represent  the  radicals  of  that  party 
but  John  laughs  at  me  when  I  tell  him  in  the  nature  of 
things  that  class  of  men  will  get  control  of  his  party.  He 
contends  that  they  -  the  Republicans  -  are  the  old  Whig 
Party,  revived  solely  by  the  unwise  repeal  of  the  Mis 
souri  Compromise.  Of  course  you  and  I  are  outside  ob 
servers  of  political  events,  and  can  influence  the  result 
but  little,  but  this  is  no  reason  why  we  should  not  feel  a 
deep  and  lively  interest  in  the  development  of  a  result 
that  for  better  or  worse  must  interest  us  all. 

At  Cincinnati  I  attended  the  U.S.  Agricultural  Fair. 
Joe  Lane  was  there  and  I  esteem  him  a  humbug,  from 
his  Mexican  War  reputation;  other  notorieties  were 
there,  among  which  fat  hogs,  calves,  pumpkins,  apples, 
etc.,  competed  for  prizes,  and  I  think  on  a  fair  unbiased 
opinion  the  pumpkins  were  entitled  to  the  first  premium 
over  vain  conceited  men. 

I  wish  however  we  had  Cincinnati  near  us  at  the 
Seminary.  We  should  not  then  be  troubled  to  get  pro 
visions,  books,  or  furniture.  If  Red  River  were  navi 
gable,  and  I  would  find  a  boat  for  Alexandria  or  Shreve- 
port  direct,  which  often  occurs  in  season,  I  would  buy  a 
full  outfit  of  everything  for  my  house  at  a  blow.  As  it 
is  I  now  must  wait,  as  transportation  by  wagon  must  be 
out  of  all  reason. 


282  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Think  of  corn  fifteen  to  twenty-five  cents  a  bushel, 
hay  at  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  a  ton,  etc.  Beautiful 
horses  from  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  to  two  hun 
dred  dollars.  Though  no  gourmand  I  will  turn  with 
regret  from  the  apples,  pears,  vegetables,  meats,  and 
luxuries  of  Ohio  to  the  poor  bread  and  poor  meat  of  the 
pine  woods.  It  does  seem  to  me  our  lot  is  cast  in  the  re 
motest  parts  of  the  present  civilized  world.  Your  letter 
is  two  weeks  old  -  by  twelve  each  day  I  get  the  Cincin 
nati  papers  here,  published  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
miles  away,  and  containing  news  from  all  the  world. 
Even  John  Sherman's  speech  was  telegraphed  entire. 

Tell  Mills  I  shall  not  bring  my  family  and  he  may 
finish  Vallas'  house  first.  Whitewashing  the  fence  is 
not  necessary  till  next  spring.  Gates  should  be  done  at 
once  -  same  of  chimneys,  spring  cleaned  out  well  -  cis 
tern  full  of  water  and  pump  in  good  order.  Am  glad 
Floyd  progresses  with  tables,  etc.,  let  tables,  presses,  and 
shelves  be  distributed  to  the  rooms,  shovel  and  tongs  and 
andirons  to  each  room.  Try  a  black  board  as  an  experi 
ment  on  the  wall  of  your  recitation  room,  where  in  case 
of  failure  it  can  be  covered  by  a  map.  Have  the  spaces 
to  right  and  left  of  hall  partitioned  off  so  as  to  be  used 
for  storage  -  Vallas'  next  his  section  room  and  the  other 
for  storage,  afterward  a  guard  room. 

I  know  and  appreciate  your  loneliness,  and  hope  at 
some  future  time  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  signalize  my 
appreciation  of  your  sacrifice  by  some  act  of  favor. 
Have  heard  from  Smith  lately  at  Norfolk,  but  not  a 
word  of  the  Doctor  [Clarke].  .  .  Send  me  some 
money  if  you  can  as  I  will  be  hard  up  -  must  pay  one 
hundred  and  ten  dollars  of  my  own  money  for  the 
regulations.  .  . 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  283 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  Sept.  20,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  ...  I  did  regret  and  do  still 
regret  that  under  the  circumstances  you  thought  it  your 
duty  to  your  own  feelings  to  vacate  the  position  of  vice- 
president  and  I  will  further  venture  the  expression  of 
my  earnest  hope  that  you  will  do  nothing  to  show  the 
public  that  you  have  lost  confidence  in  the  government 
of  the  Seminary.  Your  acts  and  your  power  have  never 
been  contravened,  but  I  admit  that  at  the  last  session  the 
opponents  to  the  military  feature  of  our  institution  made 
a  home  thrust,  more  at  my  power  than  anything  else. 
You  know  that  many  of  my  acts  have  been  virtually  re 
versed  and  now  I  am  made  to  fill  an  office  requiring  me 
to  carry  out  the  resolves  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  and 
of  an  Academic  Board. 

I  certainly  do  not  covet  power,  but  if  the  public  and 
my  friends  look  to  me  personally  to  do  certain  things, 
they  will  misjudge  me  when  my  acts  must  be  a  zigzag 
course  between  the  indefinite  opinions  of  two  delibera 
tive  bodies.  Were  you  vice-president,  I  would  still  [act 
on  my  own  responsibility]  whenever  occasion  arose,  but 
it  may  be  different  in  case  a  less  reliable  occupies  that 
vacant  place.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  mistake  much 
in  supposing  that  cadets  will  be  safer  under  the  Academ 
ic  Board  than  under  a  Board  ordered  by  me,  whose  acts 
I  could  revise,  restrain,  and  even  veto.  The  more  I  re 
flect  the  more  convinced  am  I  that  the  Academic  Board 
should  not  be  trusted  exclusively  with  the  enforcement 
of  discipline,  but  it  is  now  done  and  the  next  session 
must  pass  under  the  new  system,  and  I  must  needs  try 
the  experiment,  only  I  want  it  to  be  universally  known 
that  I  will  not  compromise  my  military  reputation  by  a 


284  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

seeming  assent  to  a  system  of  government  that  has  ever 
failed,  and  must  fail  in  this  instance. 

I  wish  to  be  distinctly  understood  as  not  complaining 
at  the  personal  application  of  reducing  my  power  to  a 
mere  "supervisory"  power -a  right  to  complain  to  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  -  instead  of  what  ought  to  be  a 
right  to  control.  If  the  cadets  find  out  that  my  wings 
are  clipped  won't  they  make  it  rather  uncomfortable  to 
me?  Still  I  have  had  little  experience  in  these  matters 
and  may  be  mistaken,  and  will  try  another  session.  I 
will  leave  my  family  where  they  are  and  come  to  Alex 
andria  by  way  of  New  Orleans.  .  . 

I  feel  uneasy  about  Jarreau.  Still  as  my  power  is  now 
merely  "supervisory,"  if  he  utterly  fail  in  his  contract  I 
am  in  no  wise  responsible.  I  never  mentioned  to  you 
that  last  November  I  introduced  Jarreau  to  my  friends 
Kennett  and  Co.  of  New  Orleans,  enjoining  the  latter  in 
all  cases  to  supply  good  articles  of  groceries.  Jarreau 
bought  of  them  to  the  extent  of  some  $  i  ,300  without  pay 
ing  one  cent.  They  wrote  to  me  and  at  my  instance  he 
sent  down  one  of  his  monthly  payments  of  $800,  leaving 
still  $500  due.  I  feel  that  Kennett  looks  to  me  for  that 
and  I  don't  know  but  I  am  liable.  Jarreau  is  too  careless 
about  such  things  and  it  may  be  said  too  that  I  was  too 
careless  in  incurring  such  a  liability,  after  my  recent 
business  experience. 

I  have  several  letters  from  Mr.  Boyd,  giving  me  rea 
sonable  assurance  that  the  items  of  work  devised  for  the 
summer  will  be  substantially  done.  Frank's  desertion 
did  not  much  surprise  me  -  you  mistake  in  saying  my 
"favorite  Frank."  I  got  out  of  him  all  sorts  of  work  for 
which  we  could  not  afford  to  employ  help  -  clerical  or 
other-  he  never  had  charge  of  anything  subject  to  lar 
ceny,  except  may  be  some  blankets  and  I  could  readily 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  285 

have  detected  that.  I  employed  Wright.  In  my  ab 
sence  Smith  discharged  him  and  Frank  fell  in  because 
no  body  else  was  at  hand  and  as  the  boy  was  willing  we 
used  him  for  "all  work."  I  think  if  he  has  stolen  noth 
ing  more  than  Mr.  Boyd  reports  his  account  is  not  much 
over.  When  I  left  he  had  $3  due  him  and  had  in  his 
room  (paid  for)  some  $20  of  merchandise. 

I  could  get  hundreds  of  intelligent  young  men  here 
who  would  go  with  me  for  moderate  wages ;  but  a  drum 
mer  or  clerk,  the  only  posts  I  ought  to  fill,  must  from 
the  necessity  of  the  case  be  subject  to  the  command  of 
others,  who  would  order  them  about  in  a  style  and  man 
ner  to  which  Ohio  boys  are  not  used  to,  and  the  result 
would  be  "off."  So  I  discourage  all  who  apply.  One 
young  fellow  -  a  good  musician  but  neither  drummer  or 
bugler,  says,  he  is  going  south  anyways,  but  he  must  go 
at  his  own  cost  and  risk.  Smith  at  my  suggestion  ap 
plied  at  Old  Point  Comfort  to  my  personal  friend  Cap 
tain  Ord  who  says  he  can  supply  us.  Smith  writes  about 
road  expenses,  and  wages  and  I  feel  a  little  doubtful 
now,  whether  I  have  a  right  to  make  a  bargain  without 
the  ratification  of  the  Board.  There  is  a  resolution  to 
"furnish"  the  building  and  to  provide  in  advance  the 
stores,  but  nothing  about  drummer  and  fifer.  An  army 
drummer  and  fifer  would  suit  us  better  than  boys  picked 
up  as  we  picked  up  Wright  and  Frank.  Still  I  can  not 
afford  pecuniarily  to  run  the  risk  of  these  private  bar 
gains  of  hire.  Still  I  think  I  will  write  to  Smith  that  if 
Ord  will  recommend  a  drummer  and  fifer,  both  willing 
to  work  either  as  clerks,  storekeepers,  and  sweepers  of 
halls,  lighters  of  lamps,  etc.,  that  I  will  agree  to  em 
ploy-expenses  up  from  New  Orleans  to  be  paid  by 
Seminary,  to  New  Orleans  by  himself  and  myself  joint 
ly  until  the  Board  ratify.  The  family  recommended  to 


286  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

you  by  Captain  Maynadier  were  of  too  delicate  health 
to  suit  the  present  period  of  our  establishment.  All 
must  work  in  some  sphere  or  other. 

Mr.  Boyd  says  that  the  drought  prevented  the  deliv 
ery  of  lumber,  so  that  the  roofs  are  not  yet  on  -  still  even 
if  done  I  would  not  bring  my  family  now.  I  have  writ 
ten  to  finish  Mr.  Vallas'  house  first. 

To  a  mere  looker  on  the  political  game  of  our  country 
is  funny.  In  the  South  you  are  struggling  between  Bell 
and  Breckenridge.  Here  their  names  are  hardly  men 
tioned,  and  the  orators  are  noisy  only  for  Douglas  and 
Lincoln.  Political  majority  has  passed  to  the  North 
and  power  must  follow.  Sooner  or  later  the  North  will 
control,  and  the  only  question  in  my  mind  is,  will  she 
abuse  it?  Nobody  now  can  say  she  will  or  she  will  not. 
I  know  some  Southrons  say  they  won't  await  the  chance. 
I  think  they  will  and  should.  Even  the  wide-awake 
Republicans  here  say  they  don't  mean  interference  with 
slavery.  They  opposed  the  repeal  of  Missouri  Compro 
mise  and  the  events  connected  with  Kansas,  but  of  course 
I  don't  look  to  word  for  meaning.  I  am  satisfied  no 
president  in  power  will  weaken  the  country  over  which 
he  presides. 

Of  course  I  keep  aloof  from  all  political  cliques  and 
knots,  and  only  express  an  opinion  occasionally  to  the 
effect,  that  there  are  many  men  of  action  and  ability  at 
the  South,  who  will  act  with  prudence  and  decision 
when  the  time  comes,  but  that  danger  does  exist  from 
the  growing  suspicion  and  distrust,  between  the  two  gen 
eral  sections  of  one  country.  My  wife  and  family  are 
well.  Mrs.  S.  begs  that  I  will  thank  you  for  your  re 
peated  offers  of  hospitality  -  but  she  ought  not  to  budge 
from  here  till  she  can  move  straight  into  a  house  of  her 
own. 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  287 

D.  F.  BOYD  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

September  27,  1860. 

.  .  .  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  copy  of 
your  brother's  speech.  It  is  an  able  production  and 
marks  him,  as  he  had  already  proved  himself  to  be,  a 
deep  thinker  and  a  strong  reasoner.  I  regret  very  much 
that  he  is  on  the  wrong  side  -  his  premises  I  do  not  grant 
him.  I  believe  he  designs  no  other  injustice  to  the  South 
than  to  keep  slaves  out  of  the  territories,  and  since  the 
Supreme  Court  says  that  under  the  Constitution  they 
can  be  carried  there,  the  mere  agitation  of  that  matter, 
f  ree-soilism  (not  abolitionism) ,  is  not  sufficient  cause  for 
the  South  to  attempt  to  break  up  the  Union;  but  I  am 
afraid  Seward  and  many  others  will  never  rest  till  they 
attempt  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  states,  and  when 
that  comes,  then  "let  the  Union  slide"  (according  to 
Governor  Banks) . 

As  long  as  Seward  is  the  acknowledged  leader  of  the 
Republicans,  has  not  the  South  reason  to  fear  that  the 
abolition  of  slavery  in  the  Territories  is  but  the  entering 
wedge  to  overthrow  it  in  the  States?  I  think,  and  hope, 
that  your  brother  will  yet  openly  renounce  Seward's 
"irrepressible  conflict"  doctrine.  But  I  must  say,  I  like 
to  read  Seward's  speeches.  I  have  learned  more  politics 
of  him  lately  than  from  all  the  rest  of  the  politicians  put 
together.  However  false  his  position,  he  talks  more  like 
a  philosopher  than  any  of  them.  There  is  nothing  of  the 
humbug  about  him;  he  is  honest  in  his  views,  and  for 
that  very  reason,  he  is  the  more  dangerous  enemy,  first 
to  the  South,  and  finally  to  the  whole  Union. 

However  unpleasant  it  is  to  be  separated  so  much 
from  your  family,  I  think  you  have  acted  wisely  in  not 
bringing  them  down  to  Louisiana.  If  you  could  see  the 
Pinewoods  now,  after  they  have  been  burnt  so  bare  that 


288  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

there  is  hardly  a  sprig  of  vegetation  to  be  seen,  you  could 
not  help  exclaiming,  What  a  picture  of  starvation !  And 
it  is  reported  that  some  poor  devils  are  actually  starving 
in  Natchitoches;  but  I  suppose  they  are  of  the  "rosin 
heel"  tribe,  and  are  really  too  lazy  to  live.  .  . 

Bell  will  certainly  carry  Louisiana.  Poor  Breck!  I 
am  afraid  he  will  only  carry  S.  S.  Prentiss's  "Harry 
Percy  of  the  Union,"  South  Carolina,  and,  maybe,  he 
is  not  ultra  enough  for  the  Fire-eaters.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

LANCASTER,  OHIO,  Sept.  30,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND:  ...  I  am  much  obliged  to 
your  letters  which  have  kept  me  easy.  Time  now  begins 
to  approach  the  season  of  action,  and  I  see  no  better 
cause  for  me  to  pursue  that  what  I  have  heretofore  des 
ignated.  .  .  By  the  way  all  the  books,  text  and  li 
brary,  are  already  en  route  to  Converse,  Kennett  and 
Co.,  New  Orleans,  from  New  York,  and  the  regulations 
ought  to  be  done  and  shipped  to-morrow.  So  that  by  or 
before  October  15  everything  we  need  will  be  there. 

My  orders  are  to  ship  to  Pineville  if  possible  and  by 
the  Picayune  I  see  that  occasionally  a  boat  gets  up  to 
Alexandria.  But  if  on  my  arrival  there  I  find  all  our 
things  I  will  promptly  write  to  you  to  send  to  me  at 
mouth  of  Red  River  four  or  five  wagons  and  my  horse, 
that  out  of  the  whole  I  may  select  the  books,  bedding, 
and  hardware  necessary  and  leave  the  balance  to  follow 
when  navigation  opens.  The  arms  will  be  delivered  at 
Alexandria  by  Uncle  Sam,  and  if  freight  is  excessive  we 
don't  care. 

My  own  preference  is  that  our  cadets  should  not  ex 
ceed  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  number  and  I  doubt  if  we 
can  do  them  or  ourselves  justice  if  in  greater  number. 
Tell  Manning  if  he  or  Smith  intend  to  engineer  the 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  289 

Seminary  through,  they  must  look  well  to  this  question 
of  number.  Have  new  mess  hall  tables  made,  same 
width  as  the  others  but  four  feet  shorter,  because  four  of 
the  present  length  in  a  row  make  too  close  a  fit.  Tell 
Manning  that  I  hope  the  mere  manner  of  appointment 
did  not  defeat  the  assistant  professor  of  mathematics. 
Such  an  officer  should  be  there  the  very  day  we  begin. 
Even  if  his  qualifications  are  limited  to  arithmetic.  Our 
teaching  must  be  practical  and  adapted  to  the  capacity 
of  the  cadets,  and  all  hands  must  recite  daily  in  mathe 
matics,  and  it  is  a  physical  impossibility  for  Vallas  to 
hear  all  or  half.  I  have  been  quite  sick,  bad  cold  and 
some  of  the  bilious  that  was  in  me  all  spring,  but  I  feel 
better  now,  though  my  face  is  much  broken  out  with 
four  blisters. 

This  week  is  a  busy  one  for  our  village  -  fair,  races, 
etc.  This  country  has  thirty  thousand  people,  town  six 
thousand,  the  finest  farms  in  the  world,  and  such  horses 
and  cattle  as  would  do  you  good  to  see.  We  have  men 
here  who  can  afford  to  own  such  stock  as  "Fashion," 
and  one  of  our  men  imported  an  eight  thousand  dollar 
English  horse,  "Bonnie  Scotland,"  which  is  a  beauty. 

At  this  instant  the  Prince  of  Wales  is  in  Cincinnati. 
Some  of  the  ladies  wanted  me  to  go  down  one  hundred 
and  twenty  miles  to  see  him,  but  I  begged  off  and  they 
got  other  escort.  He  is  having  a  jolly  good  time  and 
enjoys  his  trip  exceedingly,  as  he  should,  for  he  makes 
his  progress  during  fine  weather  and  when  fruits  are  at 
perfection.  I  would  like  to  see  the  youth,  but  will  trust 
to  the  newspapers  for  a  description. 

My  brother  John  continues  to  circulate,  making  Re 
publican  speeches  and  everybody  says  that  in  case  Lin 
coln  be  elected  he  will  have  a  high  seat  in  the  synagogue. 
Judging  from  the  mere  local  clamor  here,  and  remem- 


290  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

bering  the  wild  and  foolish  schism  in  the  Democratic 
Party  it  is  more  than  probable  that  Lincoln  will  be 
elected.  But  there  is  so  wide  a  difference  between  the 
Seward  Republicans  and  Corwin  Republicans  that  in 
case  of  success  the  party  will  break  into  flinders  worse 
than  the  old  Whig  Party  used  to  do  -  and  then  will  be 
gin  the  war  of  the  Roses. 

Which  wing  of  the  Democratic  Party  is  the  Simon 
pure?  That  seems  now  the  only  effort  of  the  Democrats 
north  -  is  to  try  and  see  which  wing  of  the  party  shall  be 
construed  as  the  true  heir  to  the  rights  and  glory  of  the 
old  Democratic  Party.  Douglas  here  is  the  Democrat 
ic  but  in  the  South  Breckenridge  is. 

The  truth  is  that  the  present  territories  -  Utah,  New 
Mexico,  Arizona,  and  the  desert -ain't  worth  quarrel 
ling  over,  and  practically  nobody  can  be  tempted  to  go 
there  except  as  governor,  marshal,  judge,  etc.,  of  sup 
posed  future  states.  No  sensible  man  with  liberty  of 
choice  would  think  of  taking  his  slaves  there.  Conse 
quently  all  this  clamor  about  rights  in  territories  is  a 
theoretical  one,  but  as  you  say  it  involves  a  principle 
and  therefore  is  contended  for. 

If  any  calamity  should  befall  our  country  in  this 
question,  the  future  historian  would  have  the  pleasant 
task  of  chronicling  the  downfall  of  the  Great  Republic, 
because  one  class  of  -  -  would  not  permit  theoreti 
cally  another  class  of  -  -  to  go,  where  neither  party 
had  the  most  remote  intention  to  go,  for  I  take  it 
that  no  sensible  man  except  an  army  officer  who  could 
not  help  himself  ever  went  to  Utah,  New  Mexico,  or 
Arizona,  or  even  proposes  to  do  so.  And  as  our  domin 
ions  now  reach  the  Pacific,  and  our  frontiers  are  all  "rec 
tified"  we  have  no  further  necessity  of  taking  in  any 
more  "worthless  Mexican  waste  land." 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  291 

I  hope  therefore  that  the  result  of  this  angry  contro 
versy  will  be  no  more  extension  of  territory,  but  that  all 
states  will  confine  their  efforts  to  perfecting  and  improv 
ing  their  internal  resources.  You  can  readily  under 
stand  that  I  am  sick  of  this  war  of  prejudice.  Here  the 
prejudice  is  that  planters  have  nothing  else  to  do  but 
hang  abolitionists  and  hold  lynch  courts.  There,  that 
all  the  people  of  Ohio  are  engaged  in  stealing  and  run 
ning  off  negroes.  The  truth  is  they  both  do  injustice  to 
the  other;  and  if  all  would  forget  and  mind  their  re 
spective  interests,  it  would  be  found  that  slave  and  all 
other  property  in  the  United  States  are  now  at  a  most 
prosperous  standard. 

Yesterday  I  was  out  all  day  with  my  boys  gathering 
nuts.  I  had  a  single  horse  spring-wagon  and  filled  it 
with  black  walnuts  and  chestnuts  -  and  what  with  roast 
ing,  boiling,  and  eating  chestnuts  there  is  no  peace  in 
the  house.  When  I  began  the  young  ones  had  gone  to 
church  but  they  are  back  now,  and  it  requires  more 
nerve  to  write  in  the  midst  of  their  noises  than  if  a  regi 
mental  band  were  in  full  career. 

Mrs.  Sherman  has  put  up  for  me  an  amount  of  cur 
rant  jelly,  quince  jelly,  and  marmalade  and  all  sorts  of 
preserves  -  but  I  doubt  if  I  can  take  them  down.  If  Red 
River  were  navigable  I  would  send  them  down  to  New 
Orleans  from  Cincinnati  to  Kennett  and  have  him  re- 
ship  them.  I  am  trying  to  stop  smoking.  It  and  bad 
food  had  reduced  me  to  a  skeleton,  and  I  am  still  thin. 
I  was  fifteen  pounds  lighter  than  ever  before  in  my  life 
when  I  reached  home.  I  had  paid  no  attention  to  it  and 
Mrs.  Sherman  thinks  I  am  so  careless  of  what  I  eat,  that 
she  really  believes  we  are  starved  down  there.  I  don't 
know  what  she  will  think  when  she  has  to  depend  on 
Schwartzenberg  and  Alexandria  for  her  daily  supplies. 


292  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  know  they  are  well  off  here  and  therefore  shall  leave 
them  statu  quo  till  I  send  for  them,  but  in  the  meantime 
will  myself  occupy  the  house  built  for  me,  though  I  still 
think  Vallas'  house  should  be  plastered  and  painted  first, 
and  Mills  can  do  so.  I  take  it  the  plastering  will  all  be 
done  before  I  arrive  and  that  one  and  may  be  two  coats 
of  paint  on. 

The  moment  I  arrive  at  New  Orleans  I  will  write  you 
whether  I  want  the  wagons  sent  to  the  mouth  of  Red 
River.  The  distance  is  sixty-five  miles,  time  three  days, 
load  say  two  thousand  pounds  for  two  yoke.  Total  time 
of  trip  one  week  -  about  twenty  dollars  a  load  which 
would  be  three  dollars  a  day -or  better  one  dollar  the 
hundred,  about  that.  There  will  be  fourteen  boxes  of 
books,  eighty  rolls  of  bed  and  about  six  hundred  weight 
of  sundries.  Keep  your  mind  on  four  or  five  wagons. 
Wagons  should  have  covers. 

Write  me  very  fully  by  the  i2th  October  care  of  Ken- 
nett,  Blood  and  Co.,  New  Orleans,  on  these  points - 
that  I  may  act  with  the  greatest  chance  of  economy  and 
certainty.  Only  make  a  written  charter  party,  and  al 
low  for  lay  days  at  a  price  at  the  mouth.  If  you  have 
one  of  those  two  hundred  dollar  checks  left  or  any  means 
of  drawing  send  me  some  by  letter  as  I  shall  be  hard  up 
on  arrival  at  New  Orleans ;  let  me  know  also  then  who  is 
vice-president.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

LANCASTER,  O.,  Oct.  3,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND:  ...  It  is  all-important  the 
bedding,  stationery,  and  textbooks,  [and]  your  library 
books  should  all  be  on  hand  November  i .  If  Red  River 
be  at  all  navigable  I  will  stick  to  it,  but  otherwise  I  must 
depend  on  wagons,  and  it  is  unsafe  to  judge  of  this  be 
forehand.  I  will  be  much  influenced  by  what  I  hear 


THE  VACATION  OF  1860  293 

from  you  on  arrival  at  New  Orleans.  I  have  knowledge 
that  everything  will  be  there  in  readiness  by  the  end  of 
next  week.  I  will  surely  reach  New  Orleans  by  Satur 
day,  1 3th  instant,  and  hope  to  be  en  route  hence  by  Oc 
tober  15  or  1 6.  If  Red  River  be  navigable  I  can  come 
right  along,  otherwise  I  must  wait  at  mouth  of  Red 
River  till  wagons  come  down. 

I  send  you  a  copy  of  the  printed  regulations.  I  have 
twenty-five  with  me  and  one  thousand  are  now  enroute 
for  New  Orleans,  where  I  will  take  them  up  -  it  was  im 
possible  to  have  them  done  before.  I  did  not  have  them 
bound,  as  these  one  thousand  copies  will  last  us  three 
years,  by  which  time  a  new  edition  will  be  certain. 

The  weather  here  is  cold  and  raw,  and  it  is  time  for 
southern  birds  to  take  flight.  Nothing  new  in  politics, 
but  the  election  of  Lincoln  is  still  regarded  as  quite  cer 
tain  here.  The  truth  is  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
control  this  result,  and  they  are  always  uncertain. 

ADVERTISEMENT  OF  THE   SEMINARY   IN  THE 
LOUISIANA  DEMOCRAT,  OCTOBER,  1860 

The  second  session  of  this  institution  will  commence 
ist  November  and  continue,  without  vacation,  till  aoth 
August,  1 86 1. 

TERMS  OF  ADMISSION:  the  applicant  must  be  between 
fifteen  and  twenty-one  years  of  age,  of  good  moral  char 
acter,  and  well  versed  in  the  primary  English  branches. 

EXPENSES  OF  THE  SESSION:  tuition,  board,  washing, 
lights  and  fuel -$220;  uniform  clothing,  texts  books, 
stationary,  medical  attendance  and  rent  of  fixed  furni 
ture -$120.  A  deposit  of  $200  must  be  made  first  of 
November. 

Each  cadet  must  bring  with  him  bedding  [and]  the 
minor  articles  of  room  furniture,  or  purchase  them  at 
the  Seminary  at  a  cost  of  $30.  He  must  also  bring  a  sup- 


294  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

ply  of  under-clothing.    For  further  information  apply 
to  Col.  W.  T.  Sherman,  superintendent,  Alexandria,  La. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

ST.  CHARLES  HOTEL,  New  Orleans,  Monday,  Oct.  15, 
1860. 

DEAR  BOYD  :  I  arrived  yesterday.  This  morning  find 
that  a  part  of  our  bedding  has  been  shipped  per  "Elea 
nor."  Hardware  all  ready  except  some  buckets  and 
brooms,  and  these  will  be  ready  by  Wednesday,  when  I 
think  I  will  ship  per  "Era  No.  7"  twenty-nine  boxes  of 
books,  text  and  library.  One  [box  of]  regulations  and 
some  ten  of  Vallas'  are  here,  and  I  will  send  all  per  "Era 
No.  7"  if  in  meantime  a  better  boat  do  not  come.  I  will 
either  come  up  in  the  "Era"  or  the  stage.  I  wrould  leave 
to-morrow  and  reach  Alexandria  Thursday,  but  Jar- 
reau  wants  me  to  get  him  two  servants  to  wait  on  his 
table,  and  I  want  a  drummer,  if  possible,  vice  Frank, 
deserted. 

Tell  Jarreau  that  Kennett  was  not  willing  that  any 
more  groceries  should  be  sent  him,  as  there  is  a  balance 
due  them  of  six  months'  standing;  but  as  I  know  these 
groceries  will  be  wanted,  I  have  agreed  with  Kennett  to 
be  responsible.  I  hope  Mr.  Vallas  has  his  assistant  en 
gaged.  We  must  start  November  i  to  the  minute.  I 
find  Ruddiman's  Grammar  could  not  be  had.  Andrews 
and  Stoddard  has  been  substituted.  No  prefixes  and  suf 
fixes-  it  is  a  book  published  solely  for  West  Point  and 
is  not  for  sale. 


VIII.    THE  SECOND  SESSION.     THE  COM 
ING  OF  SECESSION 

The  opening  of  the  second  session.  Political  conditions  in  Louisiana. 
Sherman's  account  of  his  course.  Beauregard  plans  a  course  of  study  for  his 
sons.  Examinations  for  admission.  St.  Ange  objects  to  the  methods  of  classi 
fication.  Sherman  is  advised  to  vote  in  the  presidential  election.  He  de 
cides  not  to  vote.  Evidences  of  coming  secession.  Views  of  the  faculty  on 
state  rights  and  secession.  Governor  Moore  calls  a  special  session  of  the  leg 
islature.  Disorder  among  the  cadets  a  reflection  of  the  political  situation. 
John  Sherman  advises  his  brother  to  leave  Louisiana.  The  latter  predicts 
that  secession  will  fail.  Condemns  the  hesitation  of  the  Washington  govern 
ment.  Vigilance  committees  in  control  of  Louisiana.  Ammunition  for  the 
Seminary.  Sherman  declares  that  he  will  not  go  with  the  secession  movement. 
His  opinion  on  the  situation  in  South  Carolina.  Christmas  at  the  Seminary. 
Sherman's  annual  report.  Graham  opposes  secession.  Lawlessness  the  real 
trouble.  Sherman  says  too  much  democracy.  Hope  of  Reconstruction. 

Upon  returning  to  Louisiana  in  the  fall  of  1860  Sherman  was 
surprised  to  find  the  people  in  a  disturbed  state  of  mind  over  the 
political  situation.  Nor  was  he  prepared  for  the  swift  movement 
toward  secession  that  followed  the  election  of  Lincoln.  Of  such 
vital  concern  to  him  were  the  political  happenings  of  the  time 
that  in  his  letters  he  has  little  to  say  of  the  internal  affairs  of  the 
Seminary,  but  much  of  the  drift  toward  secession  and  Civil  War. 
His  own  views  are  clearly  exhibited  in  his  letters.  From  the 
Memoirs  [vol.  i,  179]  is  taken  the  following  summary  account 
of  the  happenings  in  Louisiana  in  the  early  fall  of  1860. 

Reaching  Alexandria  early  in  October,  I  pushed  for 
ward  the  construction  of  the  two  buildings,  some  fences, 
gates,  and  all  other  work,  with  the  object  of  a  more  per 
fect  start  at  the  opening  of  the  regular  term  November 
i,  1860.  About  this  time  Dr.  Powhatan  Clarke65  was 
elected  assistant  professor  of  chemistry,  etc.,  and  acted 

65  Doctor  Clarke  was  elected  during  the  first  session  to  take  Doctor  Sevier's 
place.  -  ED. 


296  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

as  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  but  no  other 
changes  were  made  in  our  small  circle  of  professors. 

November  came,  and  with  it  nearly  if  not  quite  all  our 
first  set  of  cadets,  and  others,  to  the  number  of  about  one 
hundred  and  thirty.  We  divided  them  into  two  com 
panies,  issued  arms  and  clothing,  and  began  a  regular 
system  of  drills  and  instruction,  as  well  as  the  regular 
recitations.  I  had  moved  into  my  new  house,  but  pru 
dently  had  not  sent  for  my  family,  nominally  on  the 
ground  of  waiting  until  the  season  was  further  ad 
vanced,  but  really  because  of  the  storm  that  was  lower 
ing  heavy  on  the  political  horizon. 

The  presidential  election  was  to  occur  in  November, 
and  the  nominations  had  already  been  made  in  stormy 
debates  by  the  usual  conventions.  .  .  Bell  and  Ever 
ett,  a  kind  of  compromise  [were]  mostly  in  favor  in 
Louisiana.  Political  excitement  was  at  its  very  height, 
and  it  was  constantly  asserted  that  Mr.  Lincoln's  election 
would  imperil  the  Union.  I  purposely  kept  aloof  from 
politics,  would  take  no  part,  and  remember  that  on  the 
day  of  the  election  in  November  I  was  notified  that  it 
would  be  advisable  for  me  to  vote  for  Bell  and  Everett, 
but  I  openly  said  I  would  not,  and  I  did  not. 

The  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  fell  upon  us  all  like  a 
clap  of  thunder.  People  saw  and  felt  that  the  South  had 
threatened  so  long  that,  if  she  quietly  submitted,  the 
question  of  slavery  in  the  territories  was  at  an  end  for 
ever.  I  mingled  freely  with  the  members  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors,  and  with  the  people  of  Rapides  Parish 
generally,  keeping  aloof  from  all  cliques  and  parties, 
and  I  certainly  hoped  that  the  threatened  storm  would 
blow  over,  as  had  so  often  occurred  before,  after  similar 
threats. 

At  our  Seminary  the  order  of  exercises  went  along 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  297 

with  the  regularity  of  the  seasons.  Once  a  week,  I  had 
the  older  cadets  to  practise  reading,  reciting,  and  elocu 
tion,  and  noticed  that  their  selections  were  from  Cal- 
houn,  Yancey,  and  other  southern  speakers,  all  treating 
of  the  defense  of  their  slaves  and  their  home  institutions 
as  the  very  highest  duty  of  the  patriot.  Among  boys 
this  was  to  be  expected ;  and  among  the  members  of  our 
board,  though  most  of  them  declaimed  against  politi 
cians  generally,  and  especially  abolitionists,  as  pests,  yet 
there  was  a  growing  feeling  that  danger  was  in  the 
wind. 

I  recall  the  visit  of  a  young  gentleman  who  had  been 
sent  from  Jackson,  by  the  governor  of  Mississippi,  to 
confer  with  Governor  Moore,  then  on  his  plantation  at 
Bayou  Robert,  and  who  had  come  over  to  see  our 
college.  He  spoke  to  me  openly  of  secession  as  a 
fixed  fact,  and  that  its  details  were  only  left  open  for 
discussion.  I  also  recall  the  visit  of  some  man  who  was 
said  to  be  a  high  officer  in  the  order  of  "Knights  of  the 
Golden  Circle,"  of  the  existence  of  which  order  I  was 
even  ignorant,  until  explained  to  me  by  Major  Smith  and 
Dr.  Clarke.  But  in  November,  1860,  no  man  ever  ap 
proached  me  offensively,  to  ascertain  my  views,  or  my 
proposed  course  of  action  in  case  of  secession,  and  no 
man  in  or  out  of  authority  ever  tried  to  induce  me  to 
take  part  in  steps  designed  to  lead  toward  disunion.  I 
think  my  general  opinions  were  well  known  and  under 
stood,  viz.,  that  "secession  was  treason,  was  war;"  and 
that  in  no  event  could  the  North  and  West  permit  the 
Mississippi  River  to  pass  out  of  their  control.  But  some 
men  at  the  South  actually  supposed  at  the  time  that  the 
Northwestern  States,  in  case  of  a  disruption  of  the  gen 
eral  government,  would  be  drawn  in  self  interest  to  an 
alliance  with  the  South. 


298  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

At  the  beginning  of  the  second  session,  Major  Beauregard 
sent  both  sons  to  the  Seminary.  One  of  these  was  Sherman's 
adjutant  and  also  assistant  teacher  of  French.  Braxton  Bragg  in 
his  correspondence  showed  hearty  interest  in  the  prospects  for  the 
second  session.  Other  correspondence  of  this  time  relates  to 
Seminary  routine,  to  politics,  and  to  the  prospect  of  war. 

P.  G.  T.  BEAUREGARD  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

NEW  ORLEANS,  October  27, 1860. 

DEAR  COLONEL  :  I  send  you  according  to  promise  my 
two  sons  Rene  and  Henry,  the  latter  being  a  state  cadet 
from  the  Parish  of  St.  Bernard.  .  . 

Rene,  I  think,  is  now  prepared  to  enter  your  third 
class,  but  should  he  not  be  so  in  mathematics  I  hope  he 
will  be  permitted  to  enter  that  class  in  all  his  other 
studies  for  he  is  very  well  prepared  in  them.  Should  he 
be  appointed  assistant  teacher  of  French  I  hope  he  will 
be  excused  from  his  own  French  recitations,  so  that  he 
may  devote  as  much  time  as  practicable  to  his  other 
branches  of  studies.  I  do  not  desire  that  he  should 
study  Greek,  as  I  wish  him  to  receive,  more  especially 
a  commercial  education.  I  hope  he  will  be  considered 
worthy  of  the  appointment  of  sargeant  major,  which  he 
is  anxious  to  obtain. 

With  regard  to  Master  Henry,  I  desire  having  him 
thoroughly  prepared  for  West  Point,  especially  in 
mathematics  and  drawing,  he  is  to  enter  there  in  June, 
1862,  and  I  wish  him  to  do  honor  to  your  institution  and 
to  his  name ;  hence  I  have  particularly  to  request  that  he 
should  not  learn  Latin  and  Greek  but  devote  that  time 
to  the  study  of  mathematics,  drawing,  English,  French 
and  Spanish,  which  I  know  from  experience  will  be  as 
much  as  he  can  accomplish  in  eighteen  months'  appli 
cation  to  his  studies. 

I  hope  he  may  be  able  to  room  with  his  brother,  but 
should  he  not  be  able  to  do  so,  I  hope  he  will  be  put  with 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  299 

well-behaved  and  studious  room-mates.  I  have  to  make 
the  same  request  for  his  two  cousins,  young  James  Proc 
tor  and  Charles  Reggio  -  the  latter  is  from  the  parish  of 
Plaquemines  -  and  I  recommend  them  both  also  to  your 
especial  care  as  well  as  Master  Clement  Labarre  of  this 
city. 

As  I  feel  very  solicitous  about  the  health  of  my  sons, 
I  hope  you  will  do  me  the  favor  to  apprize  me  of  the 
fact  should  they  become  seriously  unwell,  that  I  may 
come  up  or  send  for  them  and  I  sincerely  hope  that  Mr. 
J.  will  do  better  with  his  department  [the  mess  hall] 
than  he  has  done  heretofore  as  otherwise  it  may  become 
a  serious  drawback  to  the  success  of  your  institution,  for 
parents  generally  attach  more  importance  to  the  health 
of  children  than  to  their  intellectual  developments.  .  . 

BRAXTON  BRAGG  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

AT  HOME,  near  Thibodeaux,  La.,  October  25,  1860. 
MY  DEAR  SHERMAN:  It  is  long  since  we  last  com 
muned,  but  both  of  us  have  been  travelers,  and  that  sel 
dom  conduces  to  correspondence.  .  .  When  in  Vir 
ginia  I  had  a  long  letter  from  my  old  friend  Graham, 
dated  just  after  the  examination,  giving  me  most  agree 
able  information  of  the  general  success  of  our  bantling 
(the  Seminary),  and  especially  of  my  young  protege, 
Perkins.  Intermingled  with  this  was  the  unpleasant 
controversy  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  a  result  in 
jurious,  I  fear,  to  the  permanent  prosperity  of  the  Acad 
emy.  Yet  we  must  not  despair  or  cease  our  exertions  in 
the  right  direction.  Our  popularity  is  growing  daily 
with  the  influential  people  of  the  country,  and  I  believe 
with  perseverance  we  shall  conquer  all  opposition.  In 
deed,  I  don't  know  but  it  is  better  for  us  to  have  it.  We 
should  never  labor  to  accomplish  our  object  with  half 
the  zeal  or  determination  but  for  this  very  ignorant 


3oo  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

prejudice.  But  let  me  beg  of  you  not  to  compromise 
your  position  by  actively  espousing  either  cause.  Gra 
ham  is  able  to  fight  the  battle  on  our  side,  and  your  opin 
ion  will  have  more  weight  and  influence  when  drawn 
out,  as  it  must  be,  than  if  you  were  an  active  party  in  the 
controversy. 

I  hope  our  anticipations  may  be  realized  in  having  a 
full  attendance  at  the  opening  of  your  session  next  week. 
I  gave  a  letter  this  morning  to  a  young  man.  .  .  I 
hope  you  may  work  him  into  some  corner  left  open  by 
non-attendance.  I  am  told  he  has  been  a  headstrong, 
willful,  and  lazy  boy,  hard  to  keep  at  any  school.  But 
his  father  has  great  hopes  in  the  military  enthusiasm, 
your  system  of  regularity  and  accountability  and  in 
Fred's  influence.  Fred  [Perkins]  has  just  called  to  bid 
me  goodby.  From  being  a  thin,  sickly,  sallow  boy,  he  is 
grown  ruddy,  erect,  and  manly  in  appearance.  And  by 
this  great  physical  change  and  his  admirable  deport 
ment  since  his  return  home,  he  has  done  much  in  this 
community  to  call  favorable  attention  to  the  Academy. 
It  is  a  source  of  no  little  pleasure  to  me,  and  your  heart 
would  be  delighted  to  see  the  just  pride  of  his  good  old 
white-headed  mother  as  she  admires  her  baby.  He  is 
her  youngest,  and  born  after  his  father's  death.  I  trust 
he  may  still  continue  to  deserve  the  commendation  of 
his  superiors. 

When  north  I  had  no  opportunity  of  seeing  anything 
about  that  old  battery.  But  I  do  not  see  that  anything 
can  be  done  except  in  the  way  you  propose  -  a  donation  - 
by  the  general  government,  and  I  see  no  reason  why  this 
may  not  succeed.  Governor  Moore  told  me  it  should 
have  his  cordial  support.  I  could  easily  get  the  approv 
al  of  the  Senate,  I  suppose,  through  Mr.  Slidell  and  my 
brother.  What  say  you  to  a  memorial  from  the  Board 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION 301 

of  Supervisors  headed  by  the  governor?  It  would  be 
indelicate  for  me  to  move  in  the  matter,  and  may  be  ego 
tistical  for  me  to  do  even  the  suggesting.  But  I  should 
feel  a  pride  in  your  success  and  believe  it  would  benefit 
the  Academy.  For  a  precedent  you  have  only  to  see  the 
donations  to  Missouri  of  guns  captured  by  Doniphan  in 
the  affair  of  Sacramento.  Guns  do  not  cease  to  be  na 
tional  trophies  because  they  may  be  entrusted  to  the 
keeping  of  a  state,  and  a  proviso  might  be  added  requir 
ing  their  return  whenever  the  state  should  cease  to  use 
them  as  proposed.  Make  a  point,  too,  of  their  being 
"worn  out"  and  no  longer  of  any  intrinsic  value.  But 
my  sheet  is  full  and  egotistical  garrulity  must  cease.  .  . 

The  correspondence  during  the  months  of  November  and 
December  deals  almost  wholly  with  political  matters.  Sherman 
is  uncertain  whether  it  is  better  to  bring  his  family  to  Louisiana 
or  in  expectation  of  secession  and  Civil  War,  to  prepare  to  leave 
the  state,  but  finally  decides  to  leave  them  in  Ohio  until  the  re 
sult  of  the  elections  is  known. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  3, 1860. 

.  .  .  This  is  a  Saturday  evening  and  I  am  seated 
at  the  office  table  where  the  Academic  Board  has  been 
all  week  examining  cadets.  We  have  admitted  in  all 
some  eighty;  and  rejected  about  a  dozen  for  want  of  the 
elementary  knowledge  required  for  admission.  To 
night,  Saturday,  we  close  the  business,  and  on  Monday 
recitations  begin.  Still  many  more  will  straggle  in,  and 
I  expect  we  will  settle  down  to  about  a  hundred  and 
twenty,  less  than  we  had  reason  to  expect,  but  quite 
enough  for  comfort.  .  . 

People  here  now  talk  as  though  disunion  was  a  fixed 
thing.  Men  of  property  say  that  as  this  constant  feeling 


302  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

of  danger  of  abolitionism  exists  they  would  rather  try  a 
Southern  Confederacy.  Louisiana  would  not  secede,  but 
should  South  Carolina  secede  I  fear  other  Southern 
States  will  follow,  and  soon  general  anarchy  will  pre 
vail.  I  say  but  little,  try  and  mind  my  own  business  and 
await  the  issue  of  events.  .  . 

The  country  is  very  poor  and  nothing  can  be  bought 
here  but  stewed  beef  and  pork,  vegetables  are  out  of  the 
question  save  potatoes  at  about  five  dollars  the  barrel. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  E.  BERTE  ST.  ANGE 

ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  4,  1860. 

SIR:  Yours  of  3rd  inst.  is  before  me  having  been  re 
ceived  last  night  just  after  the  Academic  Board  ad 
journed,  having  awaited  your  attendance  one  hour. 

The  duty  of  classifying  cadets  either  of  a  new  or  old 
class  belongs  to  the  Academic  Board,  voting  by  a  ma 
jority.  The  Academic  Board  yesterday  after  a  patient 
sitting  arranged  all  the  cadets  now  present  into  two 
classes,  third  and  fourth,  lists  of  each  being  recorded  in 
the  proper  book. 

This  classification  must  not  be  disturbed  by  any  pro 
fessor.  It  is  your  duty  to  arrange  your  sections,  subject 
to  that  classification  and  I  specially  require  that  you 
make  no  list  of  cadets,  for  recitation  in  French,  except 
the  classification  fixed  by  the  Board.  Were  you  to  pub 
lish  a  list  of  sections,  styling  any  cadet  as  a  member  of 
the  Fourth  Class,  whom  the  Academic  Board  has  ad 
judged  a  member  of  the  Third  Class,  you  must  see  plain 
ly  that  you  would  be  treating  the  Academic  Board  with 
contempt.  And  would  introduce  disorder  and  confu 
sion,  where  system  must  prevail. 

In  all  bodies  where  a  majority  rules,  there  must  be  a 
minority;  and  for  a  member  of  the  minority  to  say  he  is 
treated  with  contempt  he  must  show  marks  of  contempt 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  303 

other  than  a  bare  fact  that  the  majority  thinks  different 
from  him.  Now  you  remember  that  every  member  of 
the  Board  assured  you  repeatedly  of  their  personal  re 
spect,  called  on  you  to  suggest  a  remedy  for  the  difficulty 
that  surrounded  us,  and  even  adjourned  one  hour  for 
thought  and  deliberation.  Even  then  you  could  not  sug 
gest  a  remedy  and  the  Board  proceeded  on  their  con 
sciences  and  honor  to  arrange  the  Third  Class.  If  some 
cadets  in  that  class  are  below  the  standard  you  think 
requisite,  it  is  no  fault  of  yours.  You  are  not  respon 
sible  for  it,  but  the  blame  is  justly  chargeable  to  the 
Academic  Board,  whose  clear  duty  it  is  to  "classify" 
cadets  (see  par.  10) .  The  mode  of  imparting  instruction 
is  left  to  the  professor  by  par.  7.  But  that  is  a  very  dif 
ferent  matter  from  "classifying"  the  cadets  which  is 
clearly  the  prerogative  of  the  Academic  Board. 

You  should  have  attended  the  session  of  last  night, 
and  if  confusion  in  the  recitations  of  tomorrow  result 
therefrom  it  will  be  clearly  traced  to  you.  .  . 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

TYRONE,  Nov.  5th,  1860. 

DEAR  COLONEL:  In  a  conversation  with  Mr.  San- 
ford  yesterday  afternoon,  wre  came  to  the  conclusion  to 
advise  you  that  in  case  any  other  of  the  professors  vote 
in  the  election  to-morrow,  you  would  do  so  also,  if  you 
are  entitled  to  vote,  lest  cavillers  should  impugn  your 
motives  for  refraining  from  voting,  and  say  that  you  did 
so  because  there  was  no  ticket  here  that  suited  you.  We 
think  too  that  the  manifestation  of  independence  in  vot 
ing,  provided  any  other  professor  vote,  will  have  a  good 
effect. 

Your  right  to  vote  will  depend  on  whether  you  were 
within  the  limits  of  this  state  on  the  ^th  day  of  last  No 
vember.  The  polls  open  at  9  a.m.  and  close  at  4  p.m. 


304  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  10,  1860. 

.  .  .  We  have  had  a  week  of  cold  rains  but  it  has 
cleared  off,  and  to-day  is  bright  and  warm.  I  am  go 
ing  into  town  today  and  will  leave  this  at  the  post-office. 
The  election  came  off  on  Tuesday  and  resulted  in  Alex 
andria  in  a  majority  for  Breckenridge,  next  Bell,  next 
Douglas.  Of  course  there  were  no  votes  for  Lincoln. 
Indeed  he  has  no  ticket  in  this  state. 

I  received  a  note  from  a  friend  advising  me  to  vote. 
I  thought  the  matter  over  and  concluded  I  would  not 
vote.  Technically  I  was  entitled  to  a  vote  as  I  entered 
Louisiana  just  a  year  ago,  but  I  thought  I  ought  not  to 
vote  in  this  election,  and  did  not.  I  would  have  preferred 
Bell,  but  I  think  he  has  no  chance,  and  I  do  not  wish 
to  be  subject  to  any  political  conditions.  If  I  am  to 
hold  my  place  by  a  political  tenure  I  prefer  again  to 
turn  vagabond. 

I  would  not  be  surprised  to  learn  that  my  not  voting 
was  construed  into  a  friendly  regard  for  Lincoln,  and 
that  it  might  result  in  my  being  declared  a  public  enemy. 
I  shall  however  rest  under  a  belief  that  now  as  the  elec 
tion  is  over  all  this  hard  feeling  will  subside  and  peace 
once  more  settle  on  the  country.  We  have  no  returns 
as  yet.  Maybe  the  mail  tonight  will  bring  some  returns 
from  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  Ohio,  those  large 
states  that  determine  this  election,  but  I  do  not  count  on 
any  clear  knowledge  till  next  Monday. 

We  began  our  recitations  last  Monday,  and  things 
have  settled  down  into  order  and  system.  .  . 

No  matter  which  way  we  turn  there  arise  difficulties 
which  seem  insurmountable.  In  case  Lincoln  is  elected 
they  say  that  South  Carolina  will  secede  and  that  the 
Southern  States  will  not  see  her  forced  back.  Seces- 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  305 

sion  must  result  in  Civil  War,  anarchy,  and  ruin  to  our 
present  form  of  government.  If  it  is  attempted  it  would 
be  unwise  for  us  to  be  here.  Still  I  hope  for  quiet.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  23,  1860. 

.  .  .  We  are  having  a  cold  raw  day  and  I  avail 
myself  of  it  to  do  a  good  deal  of  indoor  work.  I  was 
out  for  some  hours  directing  the  making  of  the  fence 
around  our  new  house,  but  the  work  within  proceeds 
very  slowly  indeed.  Our  house  is  all  plastered  and  the 
carpenters  are  putting  in  the  doors,  windows,  and  cas 
ings.  Also  the  painter  is  tinkering  around,  but  at  pres 
ent  rate  the  building  will  not  be  ready  before  Christ 
mas.  I  now  have  all  arrangements  made  for  your  com 
ing  down  about  that  time,  but  prudence  dictates  some 
caution  as  political  events  do  seem  portentous. 

I  have  a  letter  from  the  cashier  that  he  sent  you  the 
first  of  exchange,  the  second  I  now  enclose  to  you  for 
two  hundred  ninety  dollars.  But  by  the  very  mail 
which  brought  it  came  the  rumor  that  the  banks  are  re 
fusing  exchange  on  the  North,  which  cannot  be  true; 
also  that  goods  were  being  destroyed  on  the  levee  at  New 
Orleans  and  that  the  Custom  House  was  closed.  I  also 
notice  that  many  gentlemen  who  were  heretofore  mod 
erate  in  their  opinions  now  begin  to  fall  into  the  popu 
lar  current  and  go  with  the  mad  foolish  crowd  that 
seems  bent  on  a  dissolution  of  this  confederacy. 

The  extremists  in  this  quarter  took  the  first  news  of 
the  election  of  Lincoln  so  coolly,  that  I  took  it  for  grant 
ed  all  would  quietly  await  the  issue ;  but  I  have  no  doubt 
that  politicians  have  so  embittered  the  feelings  of  the 
people  that  they  think  that  the  Republican  Party  is  bent 
on  abolitionism,  and  they  cease  to  reason  or  think  of 
consequences. 


3o6  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

We  are  so  retired  up  here,  so  much  out  of  the  way  of 
news,  that  we  hear  nothing  but  stale  exaggerations;  but 
I  feel  that  a  change  is  threatened  and  I  will  wait  patient 
ly  for  a  while.  My  opinions  are  not  changed. 

If  the  South  is  bent  on  disunion  of  course  I  will  not 
ally  our  fate  with  theirs,  because  by  dissolution  they  do 
not  escape  the  very  danger  at  which  they  grow  so  fran 
tically  mad.  Slavery  is  in  their  midst  and  must  con 
tinue,  but  the  interest  of  slavery  is  much  weaker  in  Mis 
souri,  Kentucky,  Virginia,  and  Maryland  than  down 
here.  Should  the  Ohio  River  become  a  boundary  be 
tween  the  two  new  combinations,  there  will  begin  a  new 
change.  The  extreme  South  will  look  on  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee  as  the  North,  and  in  a  very  few  years  the  same 
confusion  and  disorder  will  arise,  and  a  new  dissolution, 
till  each  state  and  maybe  each  county  will  claim  sepa 
rate  independence. 

If  South  Carolina  precipitate  this  Revolution  it  will 
be  because  she  thinks  by  delay  Lincoln's  friends  will 
kind  of  reconcile  the  middle,  wavering  states,  whereas 
now  they  may  raise  the  cry  of  abolition  and  unite  all  the 
Slave  States.  I  had  no  idea  that  this  would  actually 
begin  so  soon,  but  the  news  from  that  quarter  does  look 
as  though  she  certainly  would  secede,  and  that  Ala 
bama,  Georgia,  Florida,  and  Texas  would  soon  follow. 
All  these  might  go  and  still  leave  a  strong,  rich  confed 
erated  government,  but  then  come  Mississippi  and 
Louisiana.  As  these  rest  on  the  Mississippi  and  control 
its  mouth  I  know  that  the  other  states  north  will  not 
submit  to  any  molestation  of  the  navigation  by  foreign 
states.  If  these  two  states  go  and  Arkansas  follows  suit 
then  there  must  be  war,  fighting,  and  that  will  continue 
until  one  or  the  other  party  is  subdued. 

If  Louisiana  call  a  convention  I  will  not  move,  but  if 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  307 

that  convention  resolve  to  secede  on  a  contingency  that 
I  can  foresee,  then  I  must  of  course  quit.  It  is  not  to  be 
expected  that  the  state  would  consent  to  trust  me  with 
arms  and  command  if  I  did  not  go  with  them  full  length. 
I  don't  believe  Louisiana  would  of  herself  do  anything; 
but  if  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi 
and  Texas  resolve  no  longer  to  wait,  then  Louisiana  will 
do  likewise.  Then  of  course  you  will  be  safer  where 
you  are.  As  to  myself  I  might  have  to  go  to  California 
or  some  foreign  country,  where  I  could  earn  the  means 
of  living  for  you  and  myself.  I  see  no  chance  in  Ohio 
for  me.  A  man  is  never  a  prophet  in  his  own  land  and 
it  does  seem  that  nature  for  some  wise  purpose,  maybe 
to  settle  wild  lands,  does  ordain  that  man  shall  migrate, 
clear  out  from  the  place  of  his  birth. 

I  did  not  intend  to  write  so  much,  but  the  day  is 
gloomy,  and  the  last  news  from  New  Orleans  decidedly 
so,  if  true.  Among  ourselves  it  is  known  that  I  am  op 
posed  to  disunion  in  any  manner  or  form.  Prof.  Smith 
ditto,  unless  Lincoln  should  actually  encourage  aboli 
tionism  after  installed  in  office.  Mr.  Boyd  thinks  the 
denial  to  the  southern  people  of  access  to  new  territories 
is  an  insult  to  which  they  cannot  submit  with  honor  and 
should  not,  let  the  consequences  be  what  they  may.  Dr. 
Clarke  is  simply  willing  to  follow  the  fortunes  of  the 
South,  be  what  they  may.  Vallas  and  St.  Ange,  for 
eigners,  don't  care,  but  will  follow  their  immediate  self 
interests. 

Thus  we  stand,  about  a  fair  sample  of  a  mixed  crowd ; 
but  'tis  now  said  all  over  the  South  the  issue  is  made, 
and  better  secession  no\v  when  they  can  than  wait  till 
it  is  too  late.  This  is  a  most  unfortunate  condition  of 
things  for  us,  and  I  hardly  know  how  to  act  with  de 
cency  and  firmness,  and  like  most  undecided  men  \vill 


308  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

wait  awhile  to  see  what  others  do;  if  feeling  in  South 
Carolina  continues  they  must  do  something,  else  they 
will  be  the  laughing  stock  of  the  world,  and  that  is  what 
they  dread.  For  of  all  the  states  they  can  least  afford 
to  secede,  as  comparatively  she  is  a  weak  and  poor 
state.  This  on  the  contrary  is  destined  to  be  a  rich  and 
powerful  one.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  26,  1860. 

.  .  .  I  commenced  writing  a  letter  last  night  to 
Minnie,  but  a  friend  sent  us  out  a  newspaper  of  New 
Orleans,  November  22  which  had  come  up  from  New 
Orleans  in  a  boat.  For  some  reason  the  papers  come 
to  us  very  irregularly.  The  stage  whenever  it  has  pas 
sengers  leaves  behind  the  paper  mail  and  only  brings  the 
bags  when  there  are  few  or  no  passengers.  Well,  of 
late  though  letters  come  about  as  usual  our  papers  come 
along  very  straggling.  This  newspaper  so  received 
brings  intelligence,  how  true  I  know  not,  of  a  panic  in 
New  York,  Baltimore,  Virginia,  and  everywhere.  Of 
course  panics  are  the  necessary  consequence  of  the  mam 
moth  credit  system,  the  habit  of  borrowing  which  per 
vades  our  country,  and  though  panics  transfer  losses  to 
the  wrong  shoulders  still  they  do  good. 

But  along  with  this  comes  the  cause,  the  assertion  that 
South  Carolina  will  secede  certain.  Georgia  ditto. 
And  Alabama.  Mississippi  will  of  course,  and  with 
her  Arkansas  and  Texas.  This  will  leave  Louisiana 
no  choice.  If  these  premises  be  true  then  indeed  is  there 
abundant  cause  for  panic,  disorder,  confusion,  ruin  and 
Civil  War.  I  am  determined  not  to  believe  it  till  to 
withhold  belief  would  be  stupidity. 

The  paper  also  announces  that  Governor  Moore  has 
called  the  legislature  together  for  December  10,  and 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  309 

specially  to  consider  the  crisis  of  the  country  and  to  call 
a  convention.  You  know  that  the  theory  of  our  govern 
ment  is,  as  construed  by  the  southern  politicians,  that 
a  state,  one  or  more,  may  withdraw  from  the  Union 
without  molestation,  and  unless  excitement  abates  Louis 
iana  will  follow  the  lead  of  her  neighbors. 

You  will  hear  by  telegraph  the  actions  of  the  conven 
tions  of  South  Carolina  and  Alabama.  Should  they 
assert  their  right  to  secede  and  initiate  measures  to  that 
end,  then  you  may  infer  that  I  will  countermand  my 
heretofore  preparations  for  a  move.  Then  it  would  be 
unsafe  for  you  even  to  come  south.  For  myself  I  will 
not  go  with  the  South  in  a  disunion  movement,  and  as 
my  position  at  the  head  of  a  State  Military  College 
would  necessarily  infer  fidelity  and  allegiance  to  the 
state,  my  duty  will  be  on  the  first  positive  act  of  disunion 
to  give  notice  of  my  purpose. 

December  10  the  legislature  meets.  It  is  hardly  pos 
sible  a  convention  will  be  called  before  January  and 
until  the  convention  acts  the  state  is  not  committed.  Still 
I  think  the  tone  of  feeling  in  the  legislature  will  give  me 
a  clew  to  the  future.  I  confess  I  feel  uneasy  from  these 
events,  and  more  so  from  the  fact  that  the  intelligence 
comes  so  piecemeal  and  unsatisfactory.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Nov.  29,  1860. 

.  .  .  This  is  a  holiday,  thanksgiving  and  prayer, 
but  holidays  and  Sundays  are  my  worst  days,  as  then 
the  cadets  are  idle  and  mischievous. 

Governor  Moore  has  issued  his  proclamation  calling 
the  legislature  together  for  December  10,  and  the  proc 
lamation  is  couched  in  ugly  language,  different  from 
his  usual  more  conservative  tone.  It  is  manifest  to  me 
now  that  the  leading  politicians  of  the  state  have  con- 


3io  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

ferred  together  and  have  agreed  to  go  out  of  the  Union, 
or  at  all  events  to  favor  the  new  doctrine  of  secession. 
The  legislature  will  determine  the  call  of  a  convention, 
and  the  convention  will  decide  very  much  according  to 
the  other  events  that  may  occur  in  the  meantime.  This 
imposes  on  us  a  change  of  purpose,  and  it  will  not  do  for 
you  or  any  one  to  come  south  unless  the  state  of  feeling 
changes.  I  know  the  governor  and  believe  him  an  ex 
cellent  thermometer  of  the  political  atmosphere  of 
Louisiana.  I  hear  that  business  is  dead  in  New  Orleans, 
all  of  which  is  evidence  that  the  abolitionists  have  suc 
ceeded  in  bringing  on  the  "Inevitable  Conflict." 

I  am  sick  of  this  everlasting  subject.  The  truth  has 
nothing  to  do  with  this  world.  Here  they  know  that 
all  you  have  to  do  in  Ohio  is  to  steal  niggers,  and  in 
Ohio  though  the  people  are  quiescent  yet  they  believe 
that  the  South  are  determined  to  enlarge  the  area  of 
niggers.  Like  Burton  in  Toodles  I  say,  Damn  the  nig 
gers.  I  wish  they  were  anywhere  or  be  kept  at  their 
work. 

I  observe  more  signs  of  a  loosened  discipline  here. 
Boys  are  careless  and  last  night  because  the  supper  did 
not  please  them  they  smashed  the  crockery  and  made  a 
riot  generally.  Pistols  were  fired,  which  scared  Joe 
very  much  -  his  education  has  been  neglected,  but  I 
think  he  will  get  used  to  it.  We  have  dismissed  five 
cadets  and  others  must  share  their  fate.  I  fear  the  in 
stitution  is  in  danger  from  causes  which  arose  after  I  left 
last  summer.  The  alterations  made  after  I  left  were 
wrong  in  principle,  causing  General  Graham  to  resign, 
and  since  then  he  will  take  no  interest  in  our  affairs. 
Governor  Moore  is  intent  on  politics,  same  of  Dr.  Smith, 
so  we  are  left  to  the  chances  of  the  caprices  of  a  parcel 
of  wild  boys.  Still  this  is  a  small  matter  susceptible  of 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  311 

remedy,  but  the  secession  movement  underlies  the  very 
safety  of  everything.     .     . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Dec.  i,  1860. 

DEAR  BROTHER:  .  .  .  The  quiet  which  I  thought 
the  usual  acquiesence  of  the  people  was  merely  the  pre 
lude  to  the  storm  of  opinion  that  now  seems  irresistible. 
Politicians,  by  hearing  the  prejudices  of  the  people  and 
running  with  the  current,  have  succeeded  in  destroying 
the  government.  It  cannot  be  stopped  now,  I  fear.  I 
was  in  Alexandria  all  day  yesterday,  and  had  a  full  and 
unreserved  conversation  with  Dr.  S.  A.  Smith,  state 
senator,  who  is  a  man  of  education,  property,  influence, 
and  qualified  to  judge.  He  was  during  the  canvass  a 
Breckenridge  man,  but,  though  a  Southerner  in  opinion, 
is  really  opposed  to  a  dissolution  of  our  government. 
He  has  returned  from  New  Orleans,  where  he  says  he 
was  amazed  to  see  evidences  of  public  sentiment  which 
could  not  be  mistaken. 

The  legislature  meets  December  10  at  Baton  Rouge. 
The  calling  a  convention  forthwith  is  to  be  unanimous, 
the  bill  for  army  and  state  ditto.  The  convention  will 
meet  in  January,  and  two  questions  will  be  agitated: 
Immediate  dissolution,  a  declaration  of  state  inde 
pendence,  and  a  general  convention  of  Southern  States, 
with  instructions  to  demand  of  the  Northern  States  to 
repeal  all  laws  hostile  to  slavery  and  pledges  of  future 
good  behavior.  .  . 

When  the  Convention  meets  in  January,  as  they  will 
assuredly  do,  and  resolve  to  secede,  or  to  elect  members 
to  a  general  convention  with  instructions  inconsistent 
with  the  nature  of  things,  I  must  quit  this  place,  for  it 
would  be  neither  right  for  me  to  stay  nor  would  the  gov 
ernor  be  justified  in  placing  me  in  this  position  of  trust; 


3i2  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

for  the  moment  Louisiana  assumes  a  position  of  hostility, 
then  this  becomes  an  arsenal  and  fort.  .  .  Let  me 
hear  the  moment  you  think  dissolution  is  inevitable. 
What  Mississippi  and  Georgia  do,  this  state  will  do 
likewise.  .  . 

JOHN  SHERMAN  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.,  December  9,  1860. 

.  .  .  I  am  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  you  ought 
not  to  remain  much  longer  at  your  present  post.  You 
will  in  all  human  probability  be  involved  in  complica 
tions  from  which  you  cannot  escape  with  honor.  Sep 
arated  from  your  family  and  all  your  kin,  and  an  object 
of  suspicion  you  will  find  your  position  unendurable. 
A  fatal  infatuation  seems  to  have  seized  the  southern 
mind,  during  which  any  act  of  madness  may  be  com 
mitted.  .  .  If  the  sectional  dissensions  only  rested 
upon  real  or  alleged  grievances,  they  could  be  readily 
settled,  but  I  fear  they  are  deeper  and  stronger.  You 
can  now  close  your  connection  with  the  Seminary  with 
honor  and  credit  to  yourself,  for  all  who  know  you  speak 
well  of  your  conduct,  while  by  remaining  you  not  only 
involve  yourself  but  bring  trouble  upon  those  gentlemen 
who  recommended  you. 

It  is  a  sad  state  of  affairs,  but  it  is  nevertheless  true, 
that  if  the  conventions  of  the  Southern  States  make  any 
thing  more  than  a  paper  secession,  hostile  collisions  will 
occur  and  probably  a  separation  between  the  free  and 
the  slave  states.  You  can  judge  whether  it  is  at  all  prob 
able  that  secession  of  this  capital,  the  commerce  of  the 
Mississippi,  the  control  of  the  territories,  and  the  nat 
ural  rivalry  of  enraged  sections  can  be  arranged  without 
war.  In  that  event  you  cannot  serve  in  Louisiana 
against  your  family  and  kin  in  Ohio.  The  bare  pos 
sibility  of  such  a  contingency,  it  seems  to  me  renders 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  313 

your  duty  plain,  to  make  a  frank  statement  to  all  the 
gentlemen  connected  with  you,  and  with  good  feeling 
close  your  engagement.  If  the  storm  shall  blow  over, 
your  course  will  strengthen  you  with  every  man  whose 
good  opinion  you  desire ;  if  not,  you  will  escape  humilia 
tion.  When  you  return  to  Ohio,  I  will  write  you  freely 
about  your  return  to  the  army,  not  so  difficult  a  task  as 
you  imagine.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  HIS  DAUGHTER  MINNIE 

ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,  Dec.  15,  1860. 
DEAREST  MINNIE:  I  have  been  intending  to  write 
you  a  good  long  letter,  and  now  I  wish  I  could  send 
you  all  something  for  Christmas,  but  I  thought  all  along 
that  Mama  and  you  and  Lizzie,  Willie,  Tommy,  and 
all  would  be  here  in  our  new  house  by  New  Year's  day. 
The  house  is  all  done,  only  some  little  painting  to  be 
done.  The  stable  is  finished,  but  poor  Clay 66  has  been 
sick.  .  .  In  the  front  yard  are  growing  some  small 
oak  trees,  to  give  shade  in  the  hot  summer  days;  now 
however  it  is  raw  and  cold,  the  leaves  are  off  and  it 
looks  like  winter,  though  thus  far  we  have  had  no  snow. 
Maybe  we  will  have  some  snow  at  Christmas.  In  the 
back  yard  I  have  prepared  for  a  small  garden,  but  the 
soil  is  poor  and  will  not  produce  much,  except  early 
peas,  lettuce  and  sweet  potatoes.  The  house  itself  looks 
beautiful.  Two  front  porches  and  one  back,  all  the 
windows  open  to  the  floor,  like  doors,  so  that  you  can 
walk  out  on  the  porch  either  upstairs  or  downstairs.  I 
know  you  would  all  like  the  house  so  much  -  but  dear 
little  Minnie,  man  proposes  and  God  disposes -what  I 
have  been  planning  so  long  and  patiently,  and  thought 
that  we  were  all  on  the  point  of  realizing,  the  dream  and 
hope  of  my  life,  that  we  could  all  be  together  once  more 

66  The  horse  given  to  Sherman  by  Mr.  Ewing.  —  ED. 


3i4  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

in  a  home  of  our  own,  with  peace  and  quiet  and  plenty 
around  us.  All,  I  fear,  is  about  to  vanish,  and  again  I 
fear  I  must  be  a  wanderer,  leaving  you  all  to  grow  up 
at  Lancaster  without  your  Papa. 

Men  are  blind  and  crazy,  they  think  all  the  people  of 
Ohio  are  trying  to  steal  their  slaves,  and  incite  them  to 
rise  up  and  kill  their  masters.  I  know  this  is  a  delu 
sion  -  but  when  people  believe  a  delusion,  they  believe 
it  harder  than  a  real  fact,  and  these  people  in  the  South 
are  going,  for  this  delusion,  to  break  up  the  government 
under  which  we  live.  You  cannot  understand  this  but 
Mama  will  explain  it  to  you.  Our  governor  here  has 
gone  so  far  that  he  cannot  change,  and  in  a  month  maybe 
you  will  be  living  under  one  government  and  I  another. 

This  cannot  last  long,  and  as  I  know  it  is  best  for  you 
all  to  stay  in  Lancaster,  I  will  not  bring  you  down  here 
at  all,  unless  some  very  great  change  takes  place.  If 
this  were  only  a  plain  college  I  could  stay  with  propri 
ety,  but  it  is  an  arsenal  with  guns  and  powder  and  balls, 
and  were  I  to  stay  here  I  might  have  to  fight  for  Louis 
iana  and  against  Ohio.  That  would  hardly  do;  you 
would  not  like  that  I  know,  and  yet  I  have  been  asked 
to  do  it.67  But  I  hope  still  this  will  yet  pass  away,  and 
that  our  house  and  garden  will  yet  see  us  all  united  here 
in  Louisiana.  Your  loving  papa,  W.  T.  SHERMAN. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

December  i5[?],  1860. 

.  .  .  I  started  to  write  a  letter  to  Minnie  but  got 
drawn  into  this  political  strain  that  is  not  for  her  but 
you.  Read  her  so  much  of  the  letter  as  you  please  and 
the  rest  to  yourself. 

Governor  Moore  has  assembled   the  legislature  in 

67  This  probably  means  that  he  was  asked  to  stay  as  a  neutral  in  case  of 
\var.  Sherman's  later  letters  indicate  that  such  a  proposition  was  made.  —  ED. 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  315 

extra  session  at  Baton  Rouge  and  I  have  seen  his  mes 
sage  which  is  positive  on  the  point  of  secession.  You 
will  doubtless  have  the  substance  of  it  before  you  get 
this;  and  I  observe  such  men  as  Dick  Taylor,  the  gen 
eral's  son,  are  in  favor  of  immediate  secession.  I  have 
scarce  room  now  to  doubt  that  Louisiana  will  quit  the 
Union  in  all  *  January.  The  governor  recommends  the 
establishment  of  a  large  arsenal  here.  We  now  have  a 
limited  supply  of  arms. 

I  have  announced  my  position;  as  long  as  Louisiana 
is  in  the  Union  I  will  serve  her  honestly  and  faithfully, 
but  if  she  quits  I  will  quit  too.  I  will  not  for  a  day  or 
even  hour  occupy  a  position  of  apparent  hostility  to 
Uncle  Sam.  That  government  is  weak  enough,  but  is 
the  only  thing  in  America  that  has  even  the  semblance 
of  a  government.  These  state  governments  are  ridicu 
lous  pretences  of  a  government,  liable  to  explode  at  the 
call  of  any  mob.  I  don't  want  to  be  premature  and  will 
hold  on  to  the  last  moment  in  hopes  of  change,  but  they 
seem  to  be  pushing  events  ridiculously  fast. 

There  is  an  evident  purpose,  a  dark  design,  not  to 
allow  time  for  thought  and  reflection.  These  southern 
leaders  understand  the  character  of  their  people  and 
want  action  before  the  spirit  subsides.  Robert  Ander 
son  commands  at  Charleston,  and  there  I  look  for  the 
first  actual  collision.  Old  Fort  Moultrie,  every  brick 
of  which  is  as  plain  now  in  my  memory  as  the  sidewalk 
in  Lancaster,  will  become  historical.  It  is  weak  and  I 
can  scale  any  of  its  bastions.  If  secession,  dissolution 
and  Civil  War  do  come  South  Carolina  will  drop  far 
astern  and  the  battle  will  be  fought  on  the  Mississippi. 
The  Western  States  never  should  consent  to  a  hostile 
people  holding  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  Should 

*  "In  all  January"  means  "all  in  January."  Sherman  made  frequent  use 
of  this  peculiar  construction.  —  ED. 


316  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  be  forced  to  act  promptly  I  will  turn  up  either  at  St. 
Louis  or  at  Washington.  T.  knows  full  well  where  I 
am,  but  he  is  angry  at  me  about  his  charge  against  Ohio 
of  nigger  stealing.  You  remember  my  answer  from  Lan 
caster.  I  am  very  well.  Weather  cold  and  overcast.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Dec.  18,  1860. 

.  .  .  I  cannot  remain  here  much  beyond  January 
23,  the  time  set  for  the  state  convention  to  dissolve  the 
connection  of  this  state  with  the  U.S.  The  legislature 
only  sat  three  days  and  passed  unanimously  the  bills  for 
arming  the  state  and  calling  a  convention.  That  con 
vention  has  only  to  decree  what  has  already  been  re 
solved  on  and  proclaimed  by  the  Governor,  that  Louis 
iana  cannot  remain  under  a  Black  Republican  president. 
The  opinion  is  universal  that  disunion  is  resolved  on, 
and  the  only  open  questions  are  what  states  will  com 
pose  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

I  regard  the  failure  of  Buchanan  to  strengthen  Maj. 
Anderson  at  Ft.  Moultrie  as  absolutely  fatal,  as  the  evi 
dence  of  contemptible  pusilanimity  of  our  general  gov 
ernment,  almost  convincing  me  that  the  government 
is  not  worth  saving.  No  wonder  Gen.  Cass  forthwith 
resigned.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Dec.  23,  1860. 

.  .  There  certainly  are  symptoms  of  a  general 
breaking  up  or  dissolution  of  all  government  every 
where.  The  people  of  the  parish  on  the  other  side  of 
Red  River  have  constituted  themselves  into  a  kind  of 
vigilance  committee  with  power  to  execute  their  own 
sentence  on  suspected  parties.  These  are  the  best  gen 
tlemen  of  the  country  and  though  I  can  never  approve 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  317 

of  organizations  that  may  as  easily  be  adopted  by  the 
evil  disposed  as  the  well  disposed,  yet  they  show  the 
tendency  toward  a  general  anarchy  here  as  well  as  all 
over  the  United  States. 

I  take  it  for  granted  South  Carolina  has  "seceded" 
and  that  other  Southern  States  will  follow  and  that 
Louisiana  will  be  precipitated  along.  Her  convention 
meets  Jan.  23  and  I  will  await  patiently  her  action.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  Christmas,  1860. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  They  [the  cartridges]  are  a  most 
appropriate  present,  and  I  hope  they  may  all  be  used 
for  holiday  salutes,  or  mere  practice.  As  you  request 
I  will  not  put  them  on  my  returns.  Else  they  would 
have  certainly  gone  on  the  books.  When  did  you  get 
cartridges?  I  could  procure  none  in  Washington  or  in 
New  Orleans,  and  when  the  Parish  Jury  appropriated 
two  hundred  fifty  dollars  for  ammunition  to  be  stored 
here,  I  invested  the  money  in  twenty  kegs  of  powder, 
lead,  and  fifteen  thousand  percussion  caps :  and  now  wait 
for  the  return  of  the  Rapides  for  balls  and  buck-shot, 
intending  if  necessity  should  arise  to  use  our  powder 
flasks  and  pouches  till  we  have  leisure  for  making  car 
tridges.  The  mere  fact  of  our  having  here  these  arms 
and  munitions  will  be  a  great  fact.  Still,  should  unfor 
tunately  an  occasion  arise  I  could  leave  a  strong  guard 
here,  and  with  a  part  of  the  cadets  could  move  prompt 
ly  to  any  point. 

I  have  to  Governor  Moore,  to  Dr.  Smith,  and  to  the 
magistrate  of  this  precinct  defined  my  position.  As 
long  as  Louisiana  is  in  the  Union  and  I  occupy  this  post 
I  will  serve  her  faithfully  against  internal  or  external 
enemies.  But  if  Louisiana  secede  from  the  general 
government,  that  instant  I  stop.  I  will  do  no  act, 


3i8  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

breathe  no  word,  think  no  thought  hostile  to  the  gov 
ernment  of  the  United  States.  Weak  as  it  is,  it  is  the  only 
semblance  of  strength  and  justice  on  this  continent,  as 
compared  with  which  the  state  governments  are  weak 
and  trifling.  If  Louisiana  join  in  this  unhallowed 
movement  to  dismember  our  old  government,  how  long 
will  it  be  till  her  parishes  and  people  insult  and  deride 
her?  You  now  profess  to  have  a  state  government  and 
yet  your  people,  your  neighbors,  good,  intelligent,  and 
well-meaning  men  have  already  ignored  its  laws  and 
courts,  and  give  to  an  unknown,  irresponsible  body 
of  citizens  the  right  to  try,  convict,  and  execute  suspected 
persons.  If  gentlemen  on  Rapides  Bayou  have  this  ab 
solute  right  and  power  to  try  and  hang  a  stranger,  what 
security  have  you  or  any  stranger  to  go  into  these  pine 
woods  where  it  may  become  a  popular  crime  to  own  a 
good  horse  or  wear  broadcloth? 

My  dear  General,  we  are  in  the  midst  of  sad  times. 
It  is  not  slavery  -  it  is  a  tendency  to  anarchy  everywhere. 
I  have  seen  it  all  over  America,  and  our  only  hope  is  in 
Uncle  Sam.  Weak  as  that  government  is,  it  is  the  only 
approach  to  one.  I  do  take  the  [National^  Intelligen 
cer  and  read  it  carefully.  I  have  read  all  the  items  you 
call  my  attention  to,  and  have  offered  them  to  cadets 
but  they  seem  to  prefer  the  [New  Orleans]  Delta. 

I  do  think  Buchanan  made  a  fatal  mistake.  He 
should  have  reinforced  Anderson,  my  old  captain,  at 
my  old  post,  Fort  Moultrie  and  with  steam  frigates 
made  Fort  Sumpter  [sic~\  impregnable.  This  instead  of 
exciting  the  Carolinians  would  have  forced  them  to 
pause  in  their  mad  career.  Fort  Sumpter  with  three  thou 
sand  men  and  the  command  of  the  seas  would  have  en 
abled  the  government  to  execute  the  revenue  laws,  and 
to  have  held  South  Carolina  in  check  till  reason  could 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  319 

resume  its  sway.  Whereas  now  I  fear  they  have  a  con 
tempt  for  Uncle  Sam  and  will  sacrifice  Anderson.  Let 
them  hurt  a  hair  of  his  head  in  the  execution  of  his 
duty,  and  I  say  Charleston  must  [be]  blotted  from  ex 
istence.  'Twill  arouse  a  storm  to  which  the  slavery 
question  will  be  as  nothing  else  I  mistake  the  character 
of  our  people. 

Of  course  I  have  countermanded  my  orders  for  Mrs. 
Sherman  to  come  south,  and  I  feel  that  my  stay  here  is 
drawing  to  a  close.  Still  I  will  not  act  till  I  conceive 
I  must  and  should,  and  will  do  all  that  a  man  ought, 
to  allow  time  for  a  successor.  Smith  and  Dr.  Clarke 
are  up  at  Judge  Boyce's,  St.  Ange  lives  in  Alexandria. 
Boyd  and  I  are  alone.  I  have  provided  for  a  Christmas 
dinner  to  the  cadets.  Still  your  present  to  them  is  most 
acceptable,  and  what  was  provided  by  Jarreau  can  be 
distributed  along.  .  . 

BRAXTON  BRAGG  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  LA.,  Dec.  26,  1860. 

MY  DEAR  SHERMAN  :  The  decision  you  have  formed 
does  not  surprise  me;  indeed,  I  do  not  see  how  it  could 
be  otherwise  under  the  circumstances  in  which  you  are 
placed;  and  you  will  yet  do  me  the  justice  to  believe  it 
is  most  painful  to  realize  the  necessity.  You  are  acting 
on  a  conviction  of  duty  to  yourself  and  to  your  family 
and  friends.  A  similar  duty  on  my  part  may  throw  us 
into  an  apparent  hostile  attitude,  but  it  is  too  terrible  to 
contemplate  and  I  will  not  discuss  it. 

You  see  the  course  of  events  -  South  Carolina  is  gone, 
nothing  can  recall  her.  The  Union  is  already  dis 
solved.  Mississippi  has  just  elected  a  convention  all  the 
same  way.  Alabama  the  same.  There  will  be  a  strong 
fight  in  this  state.  The  city  delegation  will  probably 
control  the  convention,  and  both  parties  are  making 


320  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

great  efforts  there.     But  it  all  amounts  to  nothing;  the 
Union  is  already  gone. 

The  only  question  now  is;  can  we  reconstruct  any 
government  without  bloodshed?  I  do  not  think  we  can, 
and  the  question  is  momentous.  Yet  we  find  a  few  old 
political  hacks  and  barroom  bullies  are  leading  public 
sentiment,  and  will  in  many  cases  represent  us  in  con 
vention.  They  can  easily  pull  down  a  government,  but 
when  another  is  to  be  built  who  will  confide  in  them? 
Yet  no  one  seems  to  reflect  that  anything  more  is  neces 
sary  than  to  "secede."  Such  a  chaotic  mass  to  work  on 
has  never  presented  itself  to  my  mind,  and  I  can  see 
nothing  but  confusion  to  come  of  it. 

We  have  had  a  preliminary  meeting  of  our  "Military 
Board,"  and  laid  down  a  plan  for  the  formation  of 
military  companies.  We  have  five  thousand  stands  of 
arms  -  muskets ;  are  to  proceed  to  New  Orleans  to-mor 
row  to  see  what  can  be  done  in  enlarging  it.  All  re 
ceived  from  the  government  so  far  are  gone  -  issued 
to  volunteers  companies  and  thrown  away  without  the 
slightest  accountability.  Unless  brought  into  service 
and  kept  under  discipline  how  are  we  to  prevent  the 
same  thing  again?  A  regular  force  is  the  only  alter 
native. 

I  shall  still  continue  to  hope,  though  without  reason, 
that  Providence  will  yet  avert  the  great  evil.  But 
should  the  worst  come  we  shall  still  be  personal  friends. 
What  are  we  to  do  to  keep  up  our  Bantam?  68  Is  either 
of  your  professors  fit  to  take  your  place?  Can  we  get  a 
suitable  man  elsewhere?  Confer  freely  with  General 
Graham  on  the  subject.  We  all  have  full  confidence 
in  your  judgment,  and  it  will  go  far  in  deciding  our 
course  if  you  leave. 

68  The  Seminary.  —  ED. 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  321 

The  trouble  about  your  salary  69  was  an  oversight  in 
not  amending  the  estimates  after  the  bill  was  passed. 
No  appropriation  was  made.  There  can  be  no  diffi 
culty  in  getting  it  through  the  next  session.  I  will  try 
and  get  it  done  early  in  the  session.  Whenever  a  sup 
ply  of  arms  are  sent  to  you  the  board  will  employ  a 
man  as  armorer  or  authorize  you  to  do  it,  for  their 
preservation. 

The  following  report  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  of  which 
only  the  French  version  has  been  preserved,  was  the  last  official 
report  made  by  Superintendent  Sherman.  It  explains  in  detail 
the  conditions  of  the  Seminary  at  the  close  of  his  administration. 

ANNUAL  REPORT  OF  SHERMAN,  JANUARY,  1861 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 

Academy,  Alexandria,  January  i,  1861. 
To  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  BOARD  of  Supervisors,  Alex 
andria: 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  this,  my  Annual 
Report.  Accompanying  it  you  will  find, 

i  st.  Balance  sheet,  exhibiting  the  state  of  all  accounts 
for  1860. 

2nd.  An  Inventory  of  articles  on  hand  for  sale  to 
cadets,  classified  as  "merchandise,"  such  as  text  books, 
clothing,  bedding,  etc. 

3d.  An  inventory  of  property  belonging  to  the  Sem 
inary,  charged  to  expense  account,  but  remaining  on 
hand  and  in  daily  use. 

4th.  A  return  of  arms,  accoutrements  and  ammuni 
tion  stored  here,  for  the  Central  State  Arsenal. 

5th.  A  list  or  catalogue  of  all  professors,  cadets,  and 
other  persons  belonging  to  the  Seminary. 

69  At  the  session  of  1860  a  law  was  passed  making  Sherman  superintendent 
of  the  State  Central  Arsenal,  but  the  author  of  the  act  neglected  to  have  the 
provision  for  the  salary  inserted  in  the  appropriation  bill.  -  ED. 


322  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

6th.  An  exhibit,  giving  the  approximate  cost  of 
maintaining  a  "state"  and  "pay"  cadet. 

These  contain  all  the  information  I  am  required  to 
give  at  this  time,  but  I  am  satisfied  you  will  expect  of 
me  a  more  full  exhibit  of  our  financial  prospects. 

By  an  examination  of  the  Balance  sheet,  marked  i, 
you  will  observe  that  we  begin  the  new  year  with: 
[$56,056.02].  .  . 

I  estimate  our  expenses  for  this  current  year  to  be: 
[$43,746.42].  .  . 

Deducting  this  from  the  former  sum  and  we  should 
have  a  cash  balance  at  the  beginning  of  next  year,  of 
$12,310.60,  of  which  balance  the  sum  of  $10,502.97  will 
belong  to  the  "State  Cadet  Fund,"  and  must  be  held 
sacred.  Deducting  this  from  the  former  balance,  leaves 
the  sum  of  $1,807.63  over  and  above  all  the  estimated 
expenses,  which  are  full  and  liberal.  From  our  iso 
lated  position,  however,  we  must  expect  always  to  keep 
on  hand  a  pretty  large  stock  of  merchandise  for  sale  to 
cadets;  and  this  will  require  a  moderate  capital  to  be 
retained  in  hand. 

All  other  accounts,  such  as  wood,  tuition,  furniture, 
and  tailors,  are  self  supporting. 

The  two  professors'  houses  are  now  substantially  done, 
and  will  be  occupied  within  a  fortnight.  The  old  rail 
fence  has  been  removed,  and  a  plain  board  fence  con 
structed,  so  as  to  enclose  the  buildings  in  a  rectangular 
field  of  about  twenty-eight  acres.  The  small  balance  of 
the  appropriation  for  roads  and  fences,  $243.06,  will 
soon  be  expended  on  the  main  road,  within  the  Seminary 
limits,  and  in  connection  with  the  road  now  under  con 
struction  by  commissioners  of  the  parish. 

It  would  be  well,  at  this  time,  to  demolish  the  old, 
dilapidated  log  cabin  which  stands  by  the  east  tower 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  323 

of  the  Seminary,  as  well  as  the  shanty  occupied  by  the 
tailor's  family,  and  to  construct,  in  more  retired  locali 
ties,  two  plain  but  neat  cottages,  one  for  the  servants 
employed  about  the  Institution,  and  the  other  for  the 
occupation  of  the  tailor.  These  would  not  cost  over 
seven  hundred  dollars,  a  sum  that  the  very  favorable 
condition  of  our  finances  will  warrant.  With  these 
small  changes,  I  do  not  see  that  any  more  buildings  will 
be  called  for  till  the  number  of  cadets  exceed  one  hun 
dred  and  sixty. 

CENTRAL  STATE  ARSENAL.  By  the  act  of  your  Gen 
eral  Assembly,  approved  March  14,  1860,  was  estab 
lished  here,  in  connection  with  this  Military  Academy, 
an  Arsenal  under  the  above  title.  We  then  had  on  hand 
only  fifty-five  muskets  and  fifty  sets  of  rifle  equipments, 
and  it  appeared  to  me  of  some  importance  that  a  better 
supply  should  be  procured  before  the  opening  of  the 
present  term.  On  my  application,  the  adjutant-general 
of  the  state,  M.  Grivot,  and  Governor  Moore,  placed  in 
my  hands  a  requisition  on  the  ordnance  department  of 
the  United  States,  for  the  quota  of  arms  due  Louisiana 
for  the  year  1861.  Availing  myself  of  the  August  vaca 
tion,  I  went  to  Washington,  at  my  own  expense,  had  a 
personal  interview  with  the  secretary  of  war,  Gov. 
Floyd,  wrho  promptly  and  courteously  gave  the  neces 
sary  orders  for  advancing  these  arms  before  the  time 
they  could  be  claimed  under  existing  laws.  Colonel 
Craig,  chief  of  ordnance,  promptly  filled  the  requisi 
tion,  so  that  we  are  now  in  possession  of  a  complete  sup 
ply  of  the  very  arms  and  accoutrements  needed  by  this 
institution.  The  arms  are  of  the  newest  and  best  pat 
terns.  The  jury  of  the  parish,  at  its  December  meeting, 
appropriated  the  sum  of  two  hundred,  fifty  dollars  for 
the  purchase  and  deposit  here  of  powder,  balls,  and  per- 


324  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

cussion  caps.  By  an  inspection  of  the  return  herewith 
you  will  see  a  complete  list  of  them  all. 

To  afford  a  proper  and  safe  place  of  storage  for  these 
arms  and  ammunition,  I  enclosed  the  space  under  the 
main  stairway,  in  such  a  manner  as  greatly  to  strengthen 
them,  and  to  afford  a  magazine  easy  of  access,  easy  to 
guard,  and  where  the  powder  is  remote  from  any  walls 
containing  fireplaces  or  flues. 

It  was  my  purpose  to  give  in  detail  the  history  of 
events  which  attended  our  progress  during  the  past  year ; 
to  have  explained  the  character  of  discipline,  of  instruc 
tion,  and  all  things  that  would  be  calculated  to  assist  you 
in  your  duty  report  to  the  legislature.  But  I  find  all 
these  things  so  well  described  by  your  late  vice-presi 
dent,  General  Graham,  in  his  report  of  April  28,  1860, 
that  I  have  nothing  further  to  add. 

The  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of  us 
all,  professors  and  cadets,  have  been  so  thoroughly  can 
vassed,  and  adopted  and  printed  for  general  use  and  cir 
culation,  that  nothing  remains  but  to  give  them  a  fair 
trial.  Should,  in  their  application,  any  defects  exhibit 
themselves,  I  shall  not  hesitate  to  point  them  out,  and 
at  the  very  start  I  cannot  withhold  the  expression  of  my 
earnest  conviction  that,  in  our  course  of  study  and  array 
of  text  books,  we  have  imposed  upon  the  cadets  a  load 
they  cannot  bear,  and  that  it  is  calculated  to  make  im 
perfect  and  superficial  scholars.  In  adding  to  a  full 
scientific  course  of  study  a  most  complete  classical  one, 
we  are  apt  to  appall  the  mind  of  ambitious  youth  who 
contemplates  the  task  he  has  assumed. 

Our  standard  for  admission  is  low,  but  not  too  low. 
The  majority  of  applicants  come  to  us  very  badly  pre 
pared,  and  with  every  disposition  possible  to  yield  to  the 
wishes  of  parents,  the  Academic  Board  was  constrained 
to  reject  twelve  applicants  at  the  beginning  of  this  term. 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  325 

All  these  things  can  be  safely  left  to  time,  and,  in  the 
meantime,  by  adhering  closely  to  the  system  which  has 
been  well  begun,  by  maintaining  a  pretty  severe  disci 
pline,  and  more  especially,  by  keeping  the  classes  of 
cadets  constantly  employed,  at  their  studies  and  recita 
tions,  we  can,  beyond  the  probability  of  doubt,  complete 
the  work  so  auspiciously  begun,  and  make  this  to  rank 
among  the  first  institutions  of  our  country.  A  result  in 
which  I  feel  assured  all,  professors  and  cadets  will  con 
tinue  to  exhibit  a  pride  and  zeal  worthy  the  cause. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  ob't  servant, 

W.  T.  SHERMAN,  superintendent. 

After  the  New  Year  the  people  of  the  state  hurried  on  to 
secession.  For  the  most  part  Sherman  was  a  passive  spectator 
declaring  that  in  case  Louisiana  should  secede  he  would  resign. 
The  seizure  of  the  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge  and  the  consign 
ment  to  him  of  the  arms  there  captured  decided  him  to  resign 
his  position  at  once,  since  he  regarded  the  seizure  of  the  post  as 
an  act  of  hostility  against  the  Federal  government. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

[January,  1861.] 

.  .  .  Louisiana  will  surely  secede  this  month,  but 
no  hostile  movements  will  take  place  for  some  time,  and 
about  the  4th  of  March  the  plots  and  counterplots  of  the 
politicians,  who  save  the  people  of  this  country  the 
trouble  of  government,  will  become  manifest;  then 
something  must  be  done  or  all  this  confusion  will  be 
come  a  farce. 

I  happened  to  stumble  on  an  article  in  the  papers  say 
ing  that  Mrs.  Anderson  had  appealed  to  the  president 
in  behalf  of  her  husband.  Her  appeal  would  have 
moved  any  man  of  feeling,  I  know  that  well.  Ander 
son  is  the  very  man  for  the  place,  and  will  do  his  duty, 
and  if  communication  be  opened  to  the  sea,  the  war  may 


326  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

be  narrowed  down  to  that  point  as  it  should.  Other 
wise  it  may  spread  all  over  the  country.  We  must  wait 
as  patiently  as  possible.  .  . 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

TYRONE,  Friday  Night,  Jan.  4,  1861. 

DEAR  COLONEL  :  Your  Christmas  letter  came  duly  to 
hand,  and  I  beg  to  make  you  my  acknowledgements  for 
it,  although  it  added  fuel  to  the  flame  of  the  sad  thoughts 
and  feelings  with  which  I  am  now  constantly  oppressed. 

First  of  all,  I  thought  of  your  little  circle  at  Lancas 
ter  and  felt  provoked  that  instead  of  being  absorbed  in 
the  enjoyment  of  their  society  you  should  have  no  better 
occupation  on  that  day  than  in  writing  to  me. 

Then  the  already  almost  realized  certainty  that  we 
shall  lose  you,  for  I  feel  as  confident  as  I  possibly  can 
of  any  event  not  yet  transpired,  than  an  ordinance  of 
secession  will  be  rushed  through  the  convention  with 
breathless  haste.  The  tone  of  the  Louisiana  Democrat 
ever  since  the  presidential  election  has  satisfied  me  of 
that -its  last  issue  confirms  it.  Less  than  four  weeks 
ago  I  proclaimed  from  the  steps  of  the  post-office,  to  an 
unusually  large  crowd  awaiting  the  opening  of  the  mail, 
that  "I  stood  by  the  Union,  that  secession  was  treason," 
and  no  man  in  the  crowd  opened  his  mouth  affirmatively 
or  negatively,  although  I  saw  men  there  -  lifelong  Dem 
ocrats,  too  -  who,  I  knew,  felt  and  thought  as  I  did 
about  it.  A  few  days  afterward  a  man  who  was  in  that 
crowd,  and  whose  breath  smells  of  whatever  Governor 
Moore  chews,  told  me  that  he  was  opposed  to  sending 
men  of  extreme  views  either  way  to  the  convention  on 
Dec.  26.  The  same  man  said  in  my  presence  in  Alex 
andria  that  he  would  not  vote  for  any  man  for  the  con 
vention  who  would  not  pledge  himself  beforehand  to 
put  the  state  out  of  the  Union  before  the  4th  of  March. 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  327 

And  what  men  are  we  to  vote  for  to  that  convention! 
So  far  as  the  talent  and  ability  requisite  for  the  occasion 
are  concerned  I  look  upon  both  tickets  as  sphinxs,  having 
a  common  head.  I  shall  vote  for  the  courthouse  sphinx, 
because  that  was  made  publicly  in  open  day,  by  the  peo 
ple,  wrhere  everybody  had  a  chance  to  take  a  part- 
whilst  the  dark  lantern  sphinx  was  made  nobody  knows 
by  whom,  nobody  knows  where,  but  popped  on  to  the 
Democratic  stage  by  Locofoco  jugglery. 

The  course  you  have  marked  out  for  yourself  I  had 
anticipated.  There  is  none  other  left  for  you.  In  the 
event  of  the  convention  passing  an  ordinance  of  abrupt 
secession,  I  do  not  see  that  there  will  be  the  slightest 
obligation  on  [you],  or  propriety  in  your  allowing  time 
for  a  successor.  Where  is  he  to  come  from  at  this  time 
except  temporarily  out  of  the  present  Academic  Board? 
Some  of  our  friends  will  be  apt  to  think  that  they  have 
accomplished  more  than  they  ever  contemplated,  and 
may  come,  possibly,  to  the  conclusion  that  there  are 
more  things  between  heaven  and  earth  than  were  ever 
dreamt  of  in  their  philosophy. 

Having  no  papers  or  letters  by  yesterday's  mail,  I 
am  very  much  in  a  mist  in  regard  to  Bob  Anderson's  sit 
uation  (in  Fort  Sumter) .  I  have  heard  that  Mr.  Floyd 
has  resigned  because  he  was  not  allowed  to  reinforce 
him.  Am  looking  with  intense  anxiety  for  the  mail  of 
to-morrow  night.  I  really  think  that  Mr.  Van  Buren 
would  have  made  longer  strides  after  Gen.  Jackson  than 
poor  old  Buck. 

I  have  been  greatly  engrossed  during  the  Holy 
Days  ( ?) .  The  overseer  for  "Forked-Deer"  70  has  only 
now  arrived,  having  been  to  Mississippi  for  his  wife, 
and  I  have  no  overseer  at  Tyrone  yet,  though  almost 

70  One  of  General  Graham's  plantations.  —  ED. 


328  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

hourly  pestered  with  applications  -  so  that  I  have  the 
cares  and  troubles  of  both  plantations  on  my  hands,  for 
it  will  take  several  days  yet  to  get  rid  of  "Forked-deer." 
Onze  Heurs,  et  mes  yeux  beaucoup  fatigues. 

To-morrow  I  must  work  to  get  all  the  votes  I  can  for 
the  courthouse  sphinx.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

ALEXANDRIA,  Jan.  5,  1861. 

SlR:  I  have  not  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  the 
four  kegs  of  cartridges.  They  are  old,  unserviceable, 
and  much  decayed.  The  powder  is  all  caked  and  even 
the  balls  are  partially  damaged  by  the  corrosion  of  the 
nitre. 

Still  these  balls  can  be  used  for  our  practice  in  the 
spring,  provided  the  parish  jury  will  assent  to  the  use 
of  some  of  the  powder  which  I  have  on  hand  purchased 
with  their  money. 

I  have  made  my  annual  report  accompanied  by  state 
ments  of  finances,  property,  etc.,  all  of  which  I  know 
will  interest  you  much.  I  went  to  Alexandria  on  Thurs 
day  to  deliver  them  to  Dr.  Smith,  but  he  had  gone  up 
to  Mr.  McNutts  and  I  left  them  with  Mr.  Manning.  If 
you  go  to  Alexandria,  and  have  leisure,  I  would  be 
pleased  to  hear  you  have  given  them  a  careful  perusal. 
My  report  may  seem  to  you  rather  short.  I  did  feel 
much  tempted  to  avail  myself  of  that  opportunity  to 
point  out  the  inconsistent  parts  of  our  regulations  and 
also  to  demonstrate  that  we  have  taken  a  course  of  study 
so  voluminous  as  to  result  in  superficial  education,  but 
our  country  is  so  agitated  by  political  questions  calcu 
lated  to  break  down  all  governments,  that  these  things 
might  seem  out  of  place. 

My  duty  here  is  plain,  simple,  but  not  so  easy  as  one 
would  suppose.  I  think  by  keeping  our  studies  and 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  329 

duties  progressing  without  pause  or  interruption,  that 
I  will  do  my  share  to  sustain  the  principle  of  govern 
ment  that  is  fast  giving  away  all  over  the  land,  the  only 
principle  that  can  save  us  from  a  general  anarchy.  My 
only  hope  for  the  salvation  of  the  constitution  of  the 
country  is  in  the  army.  The  law  is  or  should  be  our 
king;  we  should  obey  it,  not  because  it  meets  our  ap 
proval,  but  because  it  is  the  law  -  and  because  obedience 
in  some  shape  is  necessary  to  every  system  of  civilized 
government.  For  years  this  tendency  to  anarchy  has 
gone  on,  till  now  every  state  and  county  and  town 
through  the  instrumentality  of  juries,  either  regular  or 
lynch,  make  and  enforce  the  local  prejudices  as  the  law 
of  the  land.  This  is  the  real  trouble,  it  is  not  slavery, 
it  is  the  democratic  spirit  which  substitutes  mere  pop 
ular  opinions  for  law.  But  I  know  you  have  bores 
enough  to  trouble  you  -  and  I  wont  add  my  share :  but 
you  will  do  justice  to  the  difficulties  that  envelop  me 
in  my  private  relations. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

LOUISIANA  STATE  SEMINARY  of  Learning  and  Military 

Academy,  Alexandria,  Jan.  5,  1861. 
.  .  .  I  have  finished  my  report  and  placed  all  the 
papers  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  Smith  the  vice-president.  I 
walked  into  town  the  day  before  yesterday,  poor  Clay 
being  dead  and  buried.  Dr.  Smith  was  away  and  I  only 
remained  a  few  hours.  Alexandria  at  best  is  not  a  cheer 
ful  town,  but  nowr  decidedly  the  reverse.  Everybody 
naturally  feels  the  danger  which  envelopes  us  all  in  one 
common  cause.  I  have  had  nothing  said  to  me  at  all, 
and  I  discuss  the  questions  of  the  day  freely  with  my 
equals,  and  try  to  keep  my  peace  with  loungers  about  the 
street  corners  and  ferry-boat  landing,  I  always  say 
what  is  my  real  belief,  that  though  the  slavery  question 


330  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

seems  to  be  the  question  soon  it  will  sink  into  insig 
nificance. 

Our  country  has  become  so  democratic  that  the  mere 
popular  opinion  of  any  town  or  village  rises  above  the 
law.  Men  have  ceased  to  look  to  constitutions  and  law 
books  for  their  guides,  but  have  studied  popular  opin 
ion  in  bar  rooms  and  village  newspapers,  and  that  was 
and  is  law.  The  old  women  and  grannies  of  New  Eng 
land,  reasoning  from  abstract  principles,  must  defy  the 
constitution  of  the  country,  the  people  of  the  South  not 
relying  on  the  federal  government  must  allow  their  peo 
ple  to  favor  filibustering  expeditions,  against  the  solemn 
treaties  of  the  land;  and  anywhere  from  California  to 
Maine  any  man  could  do  murder,  robbery  or  arson  if 
the  people's  prejudice  lay  in  that  direction.  And  now 
things  are  at  such  a  pass  that  no  one  section  believes  the 
other,  and  we  are  beginning  to  fight. 

The  right  of  secession  is  but  the  beginning  of  the  end ; 
it  is  utterly  wrong  and  the  president  ought  never  for  one 
moment  to  have  permitted  the  South  Carolinians  to  be 
lieve  he  would  not  enforce  the  revenue  laws  and  hold 
the  public  property  in  Charleston  Harbor.  Had  he 
promptly  reinforced  Maj.  Anderson  the  Charlestonians 
would  have  been  a  little  more  circumspect.  My  only 
hope  is  that  Maj.  Anderson  may  hold  out,  that  more 
reinforcements  may  reach  him,  and  that  the  people  may 
feel  that  they  can't  always  do  as  they  please.  Or  in 
other  words  that  they  are  not  so  free  and  independent 
as  they  think.  In  this  view  I  am  alone  here,  but  I  do  so 
think,  and  will  say  it.  .  . 

If  still  this  Civil  War  should  pass  over  I  shall  require 
you  all  to  come  down  regardless  of  consequences,  for 
here  I  must  stay  summer  and  winter,  or  else  give  it 
up.  .  . 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  331 

St.  Louis  will  be  paralyzed  with  Civil  War,  and  Cali 
fornia  will  be  a  foreign  country.  My  only  hope  is  that 
bad  as  things  now  look  there  may  occur  some  escape,  or 
if  dissolution  is  inevitable  that  Ohio  and  Louisiana  may 
belong  to  the  same  confederacy.  I  am  so  far  out  of  the 
current  here  that  I  can  only  judge  by  newspapers  and 
they  all  indicate  a  bias.  The  Louisiana  convention  will 
surely  secede,  but  then  the  reconstruction.  At  all  events 
I  cannot  do  anything  till  that  is  over,  if  they  turn  me 
out  I  must  stay  and  get  my  dues,  and  I  will  send  you 
every  cent  I  can.  The  house  is  now  done  and  the  car 
penters  leave  it  to-day  for  good.  People  begin  to  won 
der  why  you  don't  come  down,  and  the  fact  is  operating 
to  my  prejudice,  but  at  this  time  it  would  be  imprudent 
to  do  so.  Maybe  a  change  may  yet  occur.  .  . 

JOHN  SHERMAN  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

WASHINGTON,  D.C.,  Jan.  6,  1861. 
DEAR  BROTHER:  ...  I  see  some  signs  of  hope, 
but  it  is  probably  a  deceptive  light.  The  very  moment 
you  feel  uncomfortable  in  your  position  in  Louisiana, 
come  away.  Don't  for  God's  sake  subject  yourself  to 
any  slur,  reproach,  or  indignity.  I  have  spoken  to  Gen 
eral  Scott,  and  he  heartily  seconds  your  desire  to  return 
to  duty  in  the  army.  I  am  not  at  all  sure  but  that,  if 
you  were  here,  you  could  get  a  position  that  would  suit 
you.  I  see  many  of  your  friends  of  the  army  daily.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Jan.  8,  1861. 

.  .  .  Things  are  moving  along  with  the  rapidity 
of  revolutions.  The  papers  announce  that  the  people 
of  Alabama  have  seized  the  arsenals  at  Mobile  Point, 
Fort  Morgan,  and  above  Mobile.  I  think  similar  steps 
will  soon  follow  at  the  forts  at  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 


332  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

sippi  and  Lake  Pontchartrain.  I  have  been  in  town 
today  and  had  a  long  talk  with  Dr.  Smith  who  goes  next 
week  to  Baton  Rouge  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  legis 
lature  and  convention.  He  knows  well  my  opinions; 
I  have  not  concealed  them,  that  I  cannot  do  any  act 
hostile  to  the  United  States.  .  . 

The  Board  is  unwilling  to  entrust  the  management 
here  to  any  one  of  the  other  professors.  It  takes  me  all 
I  can  do  to  suppress  disorder  and  irregularity.  I  had 
a  cadet  threaten  me  yesterday  with  a  loaded  pistol  be 
cause  I  detected  a  whiskey  jug  in  his  room  and  threat 
ened  him  with  dismissal.  He  did  not  await  trial  but 
went  off.  Although  a  large  majority  of  the  cadets  are 
good  boys  still  we  have  some  hard  cases. 

From  what  I  see  in  the  New  Orleans  papers  Anderson 
is  still  in  possession  of  Fort  Sumpter,  and  the  general 
government  has  failed  to  reinforce  him  and  will  wait  till 
he  is  attacked.  This  disgusts  me  and  I  would  not  serve 
such  a  pusillanimous  government.  It  merits  dissolu 
tion.  This  fact  will  increase  the  chances  of  an  attempt 
to  prevent  Lincoln's  installation  into  office,  and  then  we 
shall  see  whether  the  wideawakes  will  fight  as  well  as 
carry  cheap  lamps  of  a  night  zigzagging  down  the 
streets. 

I  see  every  chance  of  long,  confused,  and  disorganiz 
ing  Civil  War,  and  I  feel  no  desire  to  take  a  hand  there 
in.  When  the  time  comes  for  reorganization  then  will 
come  the  time.  I  feel  anxious  for  your  comfort  and 
safety  but  these  cannot  be  threatened.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  13,  1861. 

.  .  .  I  see  no  change  to  note  here  in  public  senti 
ment,  the  fact  that  Seward  has  been  named  as  secretary 
of  state  to  Lincoln  enables  the  leaders  to  show  that  their 


THE  COMING  OF  SECESSION  333 

suspicions  were  right  that  the  Republicans  and  aboli 
tionists  are  identical.  I  am  therefore  confirmed  in  my 
opinion  that  the  cotton  states  are  off  and  it  is  an  even 
chance  with  all  the  slave  states.  I  take  the  Missouri 
Republican  and  National  Intelligencer  which  seem  to 
oppose  secession  but  they  cannot  stem  the  torrent. 

The  revolution  has  begun  and  the  national  govern 
ment  has  shown  weakness  in  all  its  attempts.  Anderson 
is  the  only  one  who  has  acted.  General  Scott  in  sending 
reinforcements  ought  not  to  have  trusted  the  Star  of  the 
West,  the  same  in  which  we  went  to  California  some 
[seven?]  years  ago.  She  could  not  venture  to  receive  a 
fire.  Frigates  and  strong  war  steamers  should  have 
gone,  which  could  have  forced  their  way  past  the  land 
batteries.  I  hope  still  this  will  be  done.  It  will  be  a 
triumph  to  South  Carolina  to  beat  Uncle  Sam. 

Still  Charleston  is  nothing  to  New  Orleans  and  I  am 
satisfied  the  forts  at  the  mouth  71  and  the  lakes 72  will  be 
taken  by  order  of  Governor  Moore  of  this  state  before 
they  can  be  occupied  by  the  U.S.  All  these  are  acts  of 
war.  War  has  begun.  And  it  is  idle  to  say  the  South 
is  not  in  earnest.  Louisiana  has  not  yet  seceded,  yet  the 
delegates  favorable  to  such  a  course  are  elected,  even  in 
New  Orleans  where  the  Union  feeling  is  thought  to  be 
strongest.  I  have  no  doubt  that  ultimately  I  will  be 
turned  off  as  unfaithful,  but  I  must  see  my  way  clearer 
than  I  yet  can  before  I  leave  from  choice.  .  . 


71  Of  the  Mississippi.  -  ED. 

72  Lake  Pontchartrain  and  Lake  Borgne.  —  ED. 


IX.  SECESSION -SUPERINTENDENT  SHER 
MAN  RESIGNS 

Seizure  of  the  military  post  and  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge.  Arms  and  am 
munition  sent  to  Sherman  at  the  Seminary.  Sherman  gives  notice  that  he  will 
resign  if  the  state  secedes.  Does  not  wish  to  take  part  in  a  Civil  War.  The 
influence  of  the  Mississippi  River  on  politics  and  commerce.  Seizure  of  the 
forts  on  the  Mississippi  and  on  Lake  Ponchartrain.  Notification  to  Governor 
Moore.  Thinks  the  war  will  ruin  all  politicians.  Secession  will  result  in 
War.  Sherman  prepares  to  return  to  Ohio.  Secession  of  Louisiana.  Regret 
at  losing  Sherman.  Sherman's  last  official  report  in  Louisiana.  Resolutions 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

The  seizure  of  the  arms  at  Baton  Rouge  convinced  Sherman 
that  the  State  of  Louisiana  was  certain  to  secede  and  he  formal 
ly  notified  Governor  Moore  and  the  supervisors  of  his  intention 
to  sever  his  connection  with  the  Seminary  as  soon  as  an  ordi 
nance  of  secession  should  be  passed.  The  convention  passed  the 
ordinance  on  January  26.  During  the  next  month  Sherman 
was  engaged  in  winding  up  his  affairs  in  Louisiana,  and  on  Feb 
ruary  20  he  left  the  Seminary  for  New  Orleans  where  he  visit 
ed  friends  for  a  few  days  before  going  north. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Memoirs  [vol.  i,  181]  gives 
Sherman's  account  of  the  events  which  led  to  his  resignation. 

Before  the  ordinance  of  secession  was  passed,  or  the 
convention  had  assembled  .  .  .  Governor  Moore 
ordered  the  seizure  of  all  the  United  States  forts  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi  and  Lake  Pontchartrain,  and 
of  the  United  States  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge.  The  forts 
had  no  garrisons,  but  the  arsenal  was  held  by  a  small 
company  of  artillery,  commanded  by  Major  Haskins, 
a  most  worthy  and  excellent  officer,  who  had  lost  an  arm 
in  Mexico.  I  remember  well  that  I  was  strongly  and  bit 
terly  impressed  by  the  seizure  of  the  arsenal,  which  oc 
curred  on  January  10,  1861. 


336  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

When  I  first  went  to  Baton  Rouge,  in  1859,  en  route  to 
Alexandria,  I  found  Captain  Rickett's  company  of  ar 
tillery  stationed  in  the  arsenal,  but  soon  after  there  was 
somewhat  of  a  clamor  on  the  Texas  frontier  about 
Brownsville,  which  induced  the  war  department  to  order 
Rickett's  company  to  that  frontier.  I  remember  that 
Governor  Moore  remonstrated  with  the  secretary  of  war 
because  so  much  dangerous  property,  composed  of  mus 
kets,  powder,  etc.,  had  been  left  by  the  United  States  un 
guarded,  in  a  parish  where  the  slave  population  was  as 
five  or  six  to  one  of  whites ;  and  it  was  on  this  official  de 
mand  that  the  United  States  government  ordered  Has- 
kin's  company  to  replace  Rickett's.  This  company  did 
not  number  forty  men. 

In  the  night  of  January  9th,  about  five  hundred  New 
Orleans  militia,  under  command  of  a  Colonel  Wheat, 
went  up  from  New  Orleans  by  boat,  landed,  surrounded 
the  arsenal,  and  demanded  its  surrender.  Haskins  was 
of  course  unprepared  for  such  a  step,  yet  he  at  first  re 
solved  to  defend  the  post  as  he  best  could  with  his  small 
force.  But  Bragg,  who  was  an  old  army  acquaintance  of 
his,  had  a  parley  with  him,  exhibited  to  him  the  vastly 
superior  force  of  his  assailants,  embracing  two  field- 
batteries,  and  offered  to  procure  for  him  honorable 
terms,  to  march  out  with  drums  and  colors,  and  to  take 
unmolested  passage  in  a  boat  up  to  St.  Louis;  alleging 
further,  that  the  old  Union  was  at  an  end,  and  that  a  just 
settlement  would  be  made  between  the  two  new  frag 
ments  for  all  the  property  stored  in  the  arsenal.  Of 
course  it  was  Raskin's  duty  to  have  defended  his  post  to 
the  death ;  but  up  to  that  time  the  national  authorities  in 
Washington  had  shown  such  pusillanimity,  that  the  of 
ficers  of  the  army  knew  not  what  to  do. 

The  result,  anyhow,  was  that  Haskins  surrendered  his 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  337 

post,  and  at  once  embarked  for  St.  Louis.  The  arms  and 
munitions  stored  in  the  arsenal  were  scattered  -  some  to 
Mississippi,  some  to  New  Orleans,  some  to  Shreveport; 
and  to  me,  at  the  Central  Arsenal,  were  consigned  two 
thousand  muskets,  three  hundred  Jager  rifles,  and  a 
large  amount  of  cartridges  and  ammunition.  The  in 
voices  were  signed  by  the  former  ordnance-sergeant, 
Olodowski,  as  a  captain  of  ordnance,  and  I  think  he  con 
tinued  such  on  General  Bragg's  staff  through  the  whole 
of  the  subsequent  Civil  War. 

These  arms,  etc.,  came  up  to  me  at  Alexandria,  with 
orders  from  Governor  Moore  to  receipt  for  and  account 
for  them.  Thus  I  was  made  the  receiver  of  stolen  goods, 
and  these  goods  the  property  of  the  United  States.  This 
grated  hard  on  my  feelings  as  an  ex-army  officer,  and  on 
counting  the  arms  I  noticed  that  they  were  packed  in  the 
old  familiar  boxes,  with  the  "U.S."  simply  scratched  off. 

According  to  the  correspondence  of  the  next  five  days  events 
moved  rapidly  with  Sherman.  He  hears  of  the  seizure  of  the 
Baton  Rouge  arsenal,  makes  up  his  mind  to  leave  and  at  once 
begin  preparations. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

Jan.  1 6,  1860. 

.  .  .  The  people  born  and  bred  in  the  North  are 
more  enthusiastic  in  this  revolution  than  the  natives  to 
the  soil. 

If  you  want  me  to  come  away  you  must  move  to  get 
me  something  to  do.  I  know  it  is  ridiculous  for  me  to 
ask  this  of  you,  but  on  the  other  hand  I  would  not  stay 
in  Ohio  ten  days  without  employment.  I  wrote  you  last 
that  you  might  visit  Louisiana  with  Willie  and  Lizzie, 
but  these  events  are  hurrying  along  too  fast  to  make 
arrangements  ahead.  Still  I  doubt  not  I  shall  be  here 


338  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

into  February  and  maybe  March.  Though  when 
Govr.  Moore  receives  my  message  he  may  think  it  wise 
to  get  me  away.  Smith  on  the  contrary  wants  to  prove 
to  me  that  here  in  Louisiana  we  shall  have  more  peace 
and  prosperity  than  in  Ohio.  .  .  -  has  written 

me  that  he  should  take  his  family  to  Europe  for  safety 
and  return  to  fight  in  the  sacred  cause  of  his  country 
South,  and  against  the  invasion  of  the  fanatic  North.  So 
you  see  what  force  religion  and  charity  has  upon  the 
minds  of  mankind.  I  know  millions  are  sincere  in  the 
belief  that  the  people  of  the  North  have  done  a  barbar 
ous  deed  in  voting  for  Lincoln. 

General  Graham  lays  low  and  says  nothing  in  these 
times,  but  I  know  he  is  much  distressed  at  the  hasty  man 
ner  in  which  things  are  pushed.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

ALEXANDRIA,  Jan.  16, 1861. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  It  was  my  purpose  to  wait  patiently 
for  the  development  of  events,  with  my  mind  firmly  re 
solved  to  do  no  act  hostile  to  the  United  States.  I  had 
given  full  notice  of  such  resolution  to  Dr.  Smith  and 
Governor  Moore.  The  seizure  of  the  forts,  and  worse 
still  the  capture  of  the  company  of  U.S.  soldiers  at  Baton 
Rouge,  where  they  were  stationed  by  invitation  of  the 
state  authority  for  the  protection  of  the  arms  and  muni 
tions  of  war  placed  there  for  the  safety  of  the  state,  are 
regarded  by  me  as  acts  of  war  and  a  breach  of  common 
decency.  I  forthwith  repaired  to  Alexandria  and  noti 
fied  Dr.  Smith  of  my  opinion  and  that  my  longer  stay 
here  was  wrong.  He  thinks  Governor  Moore  had  rea 
sons  for  his  conduct  not  known  to  the  public  and  as  he  is 
on  the  point  of  going  to  Baton  Rouge  he  asked  me  to 
forbear  till  he  could  consult,  and  see  what  is  to  be  done. 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  339 

He  says  he  has  consulted  with  many,  and  that  all  under 
stand  my  opinions,  that  as  I  am  entrusted  with  the 
moneys  and  management  of  the  institution  he  cannot  ar 
range  for  my  relief  till  time  is  given  to  provide  a  suc 
cessor.  He  is  unwilling  that  Vallas  should  succeed  to 
my  power  as  superintendent  -  or  that  any  one  else  to  the 
care  of  the  moneys.  But  he  pledged  me  his  word  that  I 
should  in  no  wise  be  compromised  in  any  act  of  hostility 
to  the  general  government. 

If  I  had  in  view  any  occupation,  by  which  I  could 
maintain  my  family  I  would  not  stay,  but  as  I  have  no 
such  employment  in  view,  and  as  I  cannot  receive  the 
compensation  fixed  by  law  for  me  as  superintendent  of 
the  central  arsenal,  and  as  I  have  laid  by  little  or  noth 
ing  I  have  consented  to  await  awhile,  to  allow  the  legis 
lature  to  appropriate  the  five  hundred  dollars  due  for 
last  year,73  and  for  a  little  salary  to  accumulate  to  give 
me  the  means  of  retiring  to  Ohio,  and  cast  around  for 
some  means  of  support. 

These  are  my  reasons.  They  may  be  improper  and 
unsuited  to  the  occasion,  but  such  they  are.  But  I  do 
think  that  the  haste  with  which  this  revolution  is  pushed 
must  produce  sad  and  bitter  fruits.  I  feel  no  wish  to 
take  part  in  the  civil  strife  that  seems  inevitable.  I 
would  prefer  to  hide  myself,  but  necessity  may  force  me 
to  another  course.  Here  in  Louisiana  you  must  sustain 
a  large  army,  and  its  commander  will  soon  dispose  of 
your  governor  and  legislature,  and  will  keep  them  to  the 
simple  task  of  providing  "ways  and  means."  Then  Gov 
ernor  Moore  will  maybe  see  that  it  is  not  so  simple  a 
game  to  play.  Our  friend  Bragg  seems  to  be  alert,  and 
most  likely  he  will  soon  be  your  king.  You  could  not 
have  a  better. 

73  For  the  salary  of  superintendent  of  the  Arsenal.  —  ED. 


340  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

However  secession  may  be  regarded  as  to  South  Caro 
lina,  it  becomes  a  far  more  serious  matter  when  we  know 
that  some  of  the  most  populous  states  are  on  the  tribu 
taries  of  the  Mississippi  whose  mouth  is  now  held  by  a 
foreign  and  hostile  state.  This  of  itself  will  turn  their 
commerce  by  lakes  and  railroads  eastward,  and  more 
over  a  new  feeling  of  interest  will  arise  in  New  York 
and  Baltimore  to  embarrass  the  exports  from  New  Or 
leans.  The  facility  of  closing  the  Mississippi  by  a  single 
frigate,  or  by  the  possession  of  Key  West  or  Tortugas 
will  and  must  paralyze  the  trade  of  New  Orleans.  It 
may  be  that  Louisiana  honor  compelled  her  to  this 
course,  but  I  see  it  not  and  must  think  it  is  the  rash  re 
sult  of  excited  men.  Men  have  ceased  to  reason  and  war 
seems  to  be  courted  by  those  who  understand  not  its  cost 
and  demoralizing  results.  Civilians  are  far  more  will 
ing  to  start  a  war  than  military  men,  and  so  it  appears 
now. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Jan.  i6th,  1861. 

MY  DEAR  BROTHER :  I  am  so  much  in  the  woods  here 
that  I  can't  keep  up  with  the  times  at  all.  Indeed,  you 
in  Washington  hear  from  New  Orleans  two  or  three  days 
sooner  than  I  do.  I  was  taken  aback  by  the  news  that 
Governor  Moore  had  ordered  the  forcible  seizure  of  the 
Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  at  or  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Mississippi ;  also  of  Forts  Pike  and  Wood,  at  the  outlets 
of  Lakes  Borgne  and  Pontchartrain.  All  these  are 
small  forts,  and  have  rarely  been  occupied  by  troops. 
They  are  designed  to  cut  off  approach  by  sea  to  New  Or 
leans,  and  were  taken  doubtless  to  prevent  their  being 
occupied,  by  order  of  General  Scott. 

But  the  taking  the  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge  is  a  differ 
ent  matter.  It  is  merely  an  assemblage  of  store-houses, 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  341 

barracks,  dwelling-houses T4  designed  for  the  healthy 
residence  of  a  garrison,  to  be  thrown  into  one  or  the 
other  of  the  forts  in  case  of  war.  The  arsenal  is  one  of 
minor  importance,  yet  the  stores  were  kept  there  for  the 
moral  effect,  and  the  garrison  was  there  at  the  instance 
of  the  people  of  Louisiana. 

To  surround  with  the  military  array,  to  demand  sur 
render,  and  enforce  the  departure  of  the  garrison,  was 
an  act  of  war.  It  amounted  to  a  declaration  of  war  and 
defiance,  and  was  done  by  Governor  Moore  without  the 
authority  of  the  legislature  or  convention.  Still,  there  is 
but  little  doubt  but  that  each  of  these  bodies,  to  assemble 
next  week,  will  ratify  and  approve  these  violent  acts,  and 
it  is  idle  to  discuss  the  subject  now.  The  people  are  mad 
on  this  question. 

I  had  previously  notified  all  that  in  the  event  of  seces 
sion  I  should  quit.  As  soon  as  a  knowledge  of  these 
events  reached  me,  I  went  to  the  vice-president,  Dr. 
Smith,  in  Alexandria,  and  told  him  that  I  regarded 
Louisiana  as  at  war  against  the  federal  government,  and 
that  I  must  go.  He  begged  me  to  wait  until  some  one 
could  be  found  to  replace  me.  The  supervisors  feel  the 
importance  of  system  and  discipline,  and  seem  to  think 
that  my  departure  will  endanger  the  success  of  this  last 
effort  to  build  up  an  educational  establishment. 
You  may  assert  that  in  no  event  will  I  forego  my  alle 
giance  to  the  United  States  as  long  as  a  single  state  is  true 
to  the  old  Constitution.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  GOVERNOR  MOORE 

January  18,  1861. 

SIR :  As  I  occupy  a  quasi-military  position  under  the 
laws  of  the  state,  I  deem  it  proper  to  acquaint  you 

74  The  buildings  now  belong  to  the  Louisiana  State  University,  donated 
through  Sherman's  influence,  it  is  thought.  -  ED. 


342  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

that  I  accepted  such  position  when  Louisiana  was  a  state 
in  the  Union,  and  when  the  motto  of  this  Seminary  was 
inserted  in  marble  over  the  main  door :  "By  the  liberal 
ity  of  the  general  government  of  the  United  States.  The 
Union  —  esto  perpetual 

Recent  events  foreshadow  a  great  change,  and  it  be 
comes  all  men  to  choose.  If  Louisiana  withdraw  from 
the  Federal  Union,  I  prefer  to  maintain  my  allegiance  to 
the  constitution  as  long  as  a  fragment  of  it  survives  and 
my  longer  stay  here  would  be  wrong  in  every  sense  of 
the  word. 

In  that  event,  I  beg  you  will  send  or  appoint  some  au 
thorized  agent  to  take  charge  of  the  arms  and  munitions 
of  war  belonging  to  the  state,  or  advise  me  what  dispo 
sition  to  make  of  them. 

And  furthermore,  as  president  of  the  Board  of  Super 
visors,  I  beg  you  to  take  immediate  steps  to  relieve  me  as 
superintendent,  the  moment  the  state  determines  to  se 
cede,  for  on  no  earthly  account  will  I  do  any  act  or  think 
any  thought  hostile  to  or  in  defiance  of  the  old  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  GOVERNOR  MOORE 

January  18,  1861. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  I  take  it  for  granted  that  you  have 
been  expecting  for  some  days  the  accompanying  paper 
from  me  [the  above  official  letter].  I  have  repeatedly 
and  again  made  known  to  General  Graham  and  Dr. 
Smith  that,  in  event  of  a  severance  of  the  relations 
hitherto  existing  between  the  Confederate  States  of  this 
Union,  I  would  be  forced  to  choose  the  old  Union.  It 
is  barely  possible  all  the  states  may  secede,  South  and 
North,  that  new  combinations  may  result,  but  this  pro 
cess  will  be  one  of  time  and  uncertainty,  and  I  cannot 
with  my  opinions  await  the  subsequent  development. 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  343 

I  have  never  been  a  politician,  and  therefore  under 
value  the  excited  feelings  and  opinions  of  present  rulers, 
but  I  do  think,  if  this  people  cannot  execute  a  form  of 
government  like  the  present,  that  a  worse  one  will  result. 

I  will  keep  the  cadets  as  quiet  as  possible.  They  are 
nervous,  but  I  think  the  interest  of  the  state  requires 
them  here,  guarding  this  property,  and  acquiring  a 
knowledge  which  will  be  useful  to  your  state  in  after- 
times. 

When  I  leave,  which  I  now  regard  as  certain,  the 
present  professors  can  manage  well  enough,  to  afford 
you  leisure  time  to  find  a  suitable  successor  to  me.  You 
might  order  Major  Smith  to  receipt  for  the  arms,  and 
to  exercise  military  command,  while  the  academic  exer 
cises  could  go  on  under  the  board.  In  time,  some  gentle 
man  will  turn  up,  better  qualified  than  I  am,  to  carry  on 
the  Seminary  to  its  ultimate  point  of  success.  I  entertain 
the  kindest  feelings  toward  all  and  would  leave  the  state 
with  much  regret;  only  in  great  events  we  must  choose, 
one  way  or  the  other. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Jan.  18,  1861. 

DEAR  BROTHER  :  Before  receiving  yours  of  the  yth,  I 
had  addressed  a  letter  to  Governor  Moore  at  Baton 
Rouge,  of  which  this  is  a  copy:  [see  the  preceding  let 
ters  to  Governor  Moore]. 

I  regard  the  seizure  by  Governor  Moore  of  the 
United  States  Arsenal  as  the  worst  act  yet  committed  in 
the  present  revolution.  I  do  think  every  allowance 
should  be  made  to  southern  politicians  for  their  nervous 
anxiety  about  their  political  power  and  the  safety  of 
slaves.  I  think  that  the  constitution  should  be  liberally 
construed  in  their  behalf ,  but  I  do  regard  this  Civil  War 


344  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

as  precipitated  with  undue  rapidity.  .  .  It  is  inevi 
table.  All  the  legislation  now  would  fall  powerless  on 
the  South.  You  should  not  alienate  such  states  as  Vir 
ginia,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Missouri.  My  notion 
is  that  this  war  will  ruin  all  politicians,  and  that  military 
leaders  will  direct  the  events. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  DR.  S.  A.  SMITH,  OF  THE 
BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS 

January  19,  1861. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  just  finished  my  quarterly  reports 
to  the  parents  of  all  the  cadets  here,  or  who  have  been 
here.  All  my  books  of  account  are  written  up  to  date. 
All  bills  for  the  houses,  fences,  etc.,  are  settled,  and  noth 
ing  now  remains  but  the  daily  routine  of  recitations  and 
drills.  I  have  written  officially  and  unofficially  to  Gov 
ernor  Moore,  but  with  my  opinions  of  the  claimed  right 
of  secession,  of  the  seizure  of  public  forts,  arsenals,  etc., 
and  the  ignominious  capture  of  a  United  States  garrison, 
stationed  in  your  midst,  as  a  guard  to  the  arsenal  and  for 
the  protection  of  your  own  people,  it  would  be  highly 
improper  for  me  longer  to  remain. 

No  great  inconvenience  can  result  to  the  Seminary.  I 
will  be  the  chief  loser.  I  came  down  two  months  be 
fore  my  pay  commenced.  I  made  sacrifices  in  Kansas 
to  enable  me  thus  to  obey  the  call  of  Governor  Wickliffe, 
and  you  know  that  last  winter  I  declined  a  most  advan 
tageous  offer  of  employment  abroad ;  and  thus  far  I  have 
received  nothing  as  superintendent  of  the  arsenal, 
though  I  went  to  Washington  and  New  York  (at  my 
own  expense)  on  the  faith  of  the  five  hundred  dollars 
salary  promised. 

These  are  small  matters  in  comparison  with  those  in 
volved  in  the  present  state  of  the  country,  which  will 
cause  sacrifices  by  millions,  instead  of  by  hundreds.  The 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS 345 

more  I  think  of  it,  the  more  I  think  I  should  be  away, 
the  sooner  the  better;  and  therefore  hope  you  will  join 
with  Governor  Moore  in  authorizing  me  to  turn  over  to 
Major  Smith  T5  the  military  command  here,  and  to  the 
Academic  Board  the  control  of  the  daily  exercises  and 
recitations. 

There  will  be  no  necessity  of  your  coming  up.  You 
can  let  Major  Smith  receive  the  few  hundreds  of  cash 
I  have  on  hand,  and  I  can  meet  you  on  a  day  certain  in 
New  Orleans,  when  we  can  settle  the  bank  account.  Be 
fore  I  leave,  I  can  pay  the  steward  Jarreau  his  account 
for  the  month,  and  there  would  be  no  necessity  for  other 
payments  till  about  the  close  of  March,  by  which  time 
the  Board  can  meet,  and  elect  a  treasurer  and  superin 
tendent  also. 

At  present  I  have  no  class,  and  there  will  be  none 
ready  till  about  the  month  of  May,  when  there  wrill  be  a 
class  in  "surveying."  Even  if  you  do  not  elect  a  superin 
tendent  in  the  meantime,  Major  Smith  could  easily 
teach  this  class,  as  he  is  very  familiar  with  the  subject- 
matter.  Indeed,  I  think  you  will  do  well  to  leave  the 
subject  of  a  new  superintendent  until  one  perfectly  satis 
factory  turns  up. 

There  is  only  one  favor  I  will  ask.  The  Seminary 
has  plenty  of  money  in  bank.  The  legislature  will  surely 
appropriate  for  my  salary  as  superintendent  of  this  arse 
nal.  Would  you  not  let  me  make  my  drafts  on  the  state 
treasury,  send  them  to  you,  let  the  treasurer  note  them 
for  payment  when  the  appropriation  is  made,  and  then 
pay  them  out  of  the  Seminary  fund?  The  drafts  will  be 
paid  in  March,  and  the  Seminary  will  lose  nothing.  This 
would  be  just  to  me;  for  I  actually  spent  two  hundred 
dollars  and  more  in  going  to  Washington  and  New 

75  Commandant  of  cadets.  -  ED. 


346  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

York,  thereby  securing  from  the  United  States,  in  ad 
vance,  three  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  the  very  best 
arms;  and  clothing  and  books  at  a  clear  profit  to  the 
Seminary  of  over  eight  hundred  dollars.  I  may  be  some 
time  finding  new  employment,  and  will  stand  in  need  of 
this  money  (five  hundred  dollars)  ;  otherwise  I  would 
abandon  it.  .  . 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  Saturday,  Jan.  19,  1861. 
COL.  W.  T.  SHERMAN,  Military  Academy  of  the  Inde 
pendent  State  of  Louisiana. 

DEAR  COLONEL:  I  have  been  so  bothered  and  run 
since  the  receipt  of  your  last  favor  of  recent  date  that  I 
have  not  been  able  to  reply  to  it,  and  all  I  can  do  now  in 
that  way  is  to  enclose  for  your  perusal  two  letters  *  from 
our  friend  Sanford  which  express  pretty  well  the  condi 
tion  into  which  the  conservative  people  have  been 
forced. 

Whatever  we  may  think  and  feel  we  must  go  along 
with  our  section  in  the  contest  which  has  been  forced  up 
on  us,  and  in  which  we  must  take  care  of  ourselves  as 
best  we  may.  For  the  share  which  designing,  selfish 
politicians  and  editors  have  had  in  exciting  the  passions, 
alarming  the  fears,  maddening  the  mind  of  the  people  on 
both  sides,  may  God  deal  with  them  as  they  deserve. 
They  have  unchained  winds  they  will  be  powerless  to 
control.  I  did  what  I  could  to  make  the  people  sensible 
of  this  before  the  election,  but  "Crucify  him!  Crucify 
him!"  was  the  Democratic  cry,  and  now  we  must  all  go 
over  the  cataract  together,  of  which  I  have  told  them. 
Those  of  us,  if  any  here,  who  may  survive  the  storm  may 
enjoy  a  peaceful  calm.  .  . 

*  These  letters  were  not  found.  —  ED. 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  347 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Jan.  20,  1861. 

.  .  .  Here  is  another  Sunday.  I  have  written  you 
often  enough  of  late  to  keep  you  in  a  perfect  state  of  un 
easiness,  but  it  does  seem  that  each  day  brings  forth 
something  new.  I  now  have  official  notice  that  three 
thousand  three  hundred  muskets,  seventy  thousand  car 
tridges,  etc.,  are  sent  here  from  Baton  Rouge,  which 
must  be  a  part  of  those  seized  by  the  state  or  otherwise 
stolen,  and  I  must  make  provision  for  their  storage.  I 
must  move  to  the  new  house  in  order  to  afford  room  for 
them  in  my  present  quarters. 

But  my  stay  here  much  longer  is  impossible.  My  opin 
ions  and  feelings  are  so  radically  opposed  to  those  in 
power  that  this  cannot  last  long.  I  send  you  a  copy  of  a 
letter  I  wrote  to  Governor  Moore  on  the  i8th,  on  the  re 
ceipt  of  which  he  will  be  forced  to  act.  I  hate  to  lose 
that  five  hundred  dollars  but  I  guess  it  can't  be  helped. 
I  know  all  about  the  forms  of  reports,  returns,  money  ac 
counts,  etc.,  and  no  one  here  does,  and  I  know  of  no  one 
in  the  state  that  Moore  can  find.  Still  I  think  he  will 
feel  bound  to  place  the  custody  of  these  arms  in  the 
hands  of  one  more  faithful  to  Louisiana  than  I  profess 
to  be. 

I  shall  expect  a  definite  answer  in  a  week,  when  I  pro 
pose  to  go  to  New  Orleans  and  settle  the  bank  account. 
I  would  then  ship  in  some  Cincinnati  boat  such  traps  as 
would  not  bear  railroad  transportation  and  thence  by 
railroad  to  Cincinnati,  so  that  it  is  not  impossible  I  may 
be  in  Lancaster  early  in  February.  I  must  leave  here 
with  a  clean  record,  and  this  can  only  be  done  in  the 
manner  I  have  pointed  out  to  Governor  Moore.  He 
may  endeavor  to  throw  obstacles  in  my  way,  but  I  think 
not.  He  is  too  fair  a  man. 


348  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  feel  no  desire  to  follow  an  army  necessarily  engaged 
in  Civil  War,  and  as  we  could  start  out  of  debt,  it  may 
be  we  can  keep  so. 

Those  now  in  debt  will  suffer  most,  or  least,  for  they 
will  likely  repudiate  all  debts.  Down  here  they  think 
they  are  going  to  have  fine  times.  New  Orleans  a  free 
port  whereby  she  can  import  goods  without  limit  or 
duties  and  sell  to  the  up-river  countries.  But  Boston, 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Baltimore  will  never  con 
sent  that  New  Orleans  should  be  a  free  port  and  they 
subject  to  duties.  The  most  probable  result  will  be  that 
New  Orleans  will  be  shut  off  from  all  trade,  and  the 
South  having  no  money  76  and  no  sailors  cannot  raise  a 
blockade  without  assistance  from  England,  and  that  she 
will  never  receive. 

I  have  letters  from  General  Graham  and  others  who 
have  given  up  all  hope  of  stemming  the  tide.  All  they 
now  hope  for  is  as  peaceable  a  secession  as  can  be  ef 
fected.  I  heard  Mr.  Clay's  speech  in  1 850  on  the  subject 
of  secession  and  if  he  deemed  a  peaceable  secession  then 
as  an  absurd  impossibility,  much  more  so  is  it  now 
when  the  commercial  interests  of  the  North  are  so  much 
more  influential.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

SEMINARY,  January  20,  1861. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND :  Yours  of  yesterday  was  read  with 
painful  interest  last  night  along  with  Mr.  Sanford's  two, 
which  I  herewith  return.  Of  course  now  that  reason  is 
powerless  and  the  truth  cannot  be  reached  through  the 
clouds  of  mistrust,  suspicion,  and  mutual  accusations 
which  envelop  us,  we  are  all  drifting  together  no  one 
knows  whither. 

I  was  waiting  as  patiently  as  a  red-headed  person 

76  So  written  but  probably  Navy  is  meant.  -En. 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  349 

could,  for  the  official  acts  of  the  convention  charged 
with  the  destiny  of  Louisiana,  when  tidings  reached  me 
that  Governor  Moore  had  caused  the  seizure  of  the  forts 
and  arsenals,  and  had  driven  away  with  ignominy  the 
small  garrison  posted  among  friends  for  the  protection 
of  the  dangerous  instruments  of  war.  For  this  I  see  no 
justification  and  feel  compelled  to  announce  my  deter 
mination  by  letter  in  the  terms  I  have  previously  done  to 
Dr.  Smith  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Elgee.  Dr.  Smith 
gave  me  his  personal  assurance  that  in  no  event  should  I 
be  called  on  to  do  any  act  compromising  my  national 
character  and  preferences. 

But  fearing  some  unforeseen  cause  might  render  him 
powerless  I  resolved  to  move  officially  and  therefore  ad 
dressed  to  Governor  Moore  a  letter  of  which  the  sub 
joined  is  a  copy  -  and  at  the  same  time  wrote  him  and 
Dr.  Smith  each,  other  private  letters  with  the  viewT  to 
convey  to  them  the  personal  reasons  for  my  choice.  .  . 
[See  pages  341-346.] 

Of  course  they  will  now  make  short  metre  of  me  and 
within  a  week  I  expect  to  be  homeward  bound.  I  hare 
made  all  reports,  returns,  and  letters  to  parents,  and  all 
the  books  are  written  up  to  date.  I  have  asked  Smith  to 
meet  me  in  New  Orleans  to  balance  the  bank  account, 
for  I  want  to  leave  with  clean  hands,  and  they  will  be 
clean  enough,  for  I  have  saved  but  little  and  can  now 
hardly  expect  the  legislature  will  appropriate  for  the 
rebel. 

I  have  notice  that  three  thousand  three  hundred 
stand  of  arms  -  seventy  thousand  cartridges  and  two 
hundred  carbine  cartridges  and  belts  are  enroute  for  this 
place.  I  must,  as  long  as  I  stay,  be  faithful  to  my  trust, 
and  I  will  take  immediate  steps  for  their  safe  storage, 
though  it  will  force  me  to  move  and  use  this  room  as  a 
store-house.  I  hope  however  to  be  relieved  in  time  so 


350  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

that  some  one  else  will  have  the  pleasure  of  receipting 
for  them  and  accounting  for  them. 

My  own  opinion  is  that  Lincoln  will  be  installed  in 
office  -  that  Congress  will  not  repeal  the  Union,  that  the 
revenues  will  be  collected.  The  consequence  is  inevi 
table  -  war,  and  ugly  war  too.  I  do  not  think  the  South 
will  be  invaded,  or  plain  coercion  attempted ;  but  no  ves 
sel  can  be  cleared  at  New  Orleans  and  no  vessel  can 
enter  without  paying  duties  outside.  Commerce  will 
cease  unless  the  South  can  combine,  organize  a  navy  and 
fight  their  way,  or  unless  she  can  form  a  treaty  with  our 
old  enemy  England.  For  the  northern  and  eastern  cities 
will  never  consent  to  pay  duties  and  allow  New  Orleans 
to  be  a  free  port,  to  send  into  the  interior  goods  cheaper 
than  they. 

But  discussion  is  useless.  The  storm  is  upon  us,  and 
we  must  each  to  our  own  ship.  I  hope  I  may  meet  you 
again  but  if  not  accept  the  assurances  of  my  great  affec 
tion,  respect,  and  admiration,  and  my  earnest  prayer  that 
you  and  yours  may  long  survive  to  look  back  with  satis 
faction  to  the  time  when  we  started  the  Seminary  in  a 
vain  belief  that  we  were  serving  the  cause  of  our  com 
mon  country. 

During  the  next  two  weeks  Sherman  completed  his  prepara 
tions  for  leaving  but  was  delayed  by  the  necessity  of  waiting  for 
the  Supervisors  to  pass  upon  his  accounts  and  to  arrange  for  the 
payment  of  his  salary  as  superintendent  of  the  State  Central 
Arsenal.  The  legislature,  after  Sherman  left  the  state,  provided 
for  the  deficiency.  The  following  letters  indicate  plainly  the 
regret  felt  at  Sherman's  departure. 

GOVERNOR  MOORE  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  Louisiana,  January  23,  1861. 
MY  DEAR  SIR:     It  is  with  the  deepest  regret  I  ac 
knowledge    receipt    of    your    communication    of    the 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  351 

1 8th  inst.  In  the  pressure  of  official  business,  I  can  now 
only  request  you  to  transfer  to  Professor  Smith  the  arms, 
munitions,  and  funds  in  your  hands,  whenever  you  con 
clude  to  withdraw  from  the  position  you  have  filled  with 
so  much  distinction.  You  cannot  regret  more  than  I  do 
the  necessity  which  deprives  us  of  your  services,  and  you 
will  bear  with  you  the  respect,  confidence,  and  admira 
tion  of  all  who  have  been  associated  with  you.77  .  . 

BRAXTON  BRAGG  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  Jan.  27, 1861. 

MY  DEAR  SHERMAN:  It  is  with  the  deepest  regret 
that  the  enclosed  papers  are  forwarded  to  you.  I  am  so 
occupied  with  other  matters  that  I  do  not  know  what  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  have  done  or  will  do  about  your 
successor.  Dr.  Smith  has  made  arrangements,  I  think, 
to  settle  your  salary  as  ordnance  officer. 

The  ordinance  of  secession  passed  the  convention  yes 
terday  by  a  very  large  vote,  and  a  convention  of  South 
ern  States  will  immediately  meet  to  organize  a  new  con 
federacy.  It  will  be  in  operation  -  a  de  facto  govern 
ment-  before  the  4th  of  March.  We  hope  this  course 
will  lead  to  a  peaceable  solution  of  the  matters.  A  sepa 
ration  is  inevitable  -  nothing  can  prevent  it  now.  Why 
should  there  be  any  strife  over  it? 

Still  it  is  not  for  individuals  to  control  these  matters. 
We  can  only  strive  and  hope. 

Wherever  you  go  my  fervent  prayers  attend  you  for 
success  and  happiness.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  January  27,  1861. 

.  .  .  Since  my  last  I  have  three  letters  from 
you.  .  .  The  mails  have  been  much  disordered  by  a 

77  This  letter  is  in  Braxton  Bragg's  handwriting.  —  ED. 


352  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

break  on  the  Mississippi  Railroad.  In  my  last  I  sent  you 
a  copy  of  a  letter  written  to  Governor  Moore,  to  which 
I  have  received  no  answer.78  He  is  very  busy  indeed, 
legislature  and  convention  both  in  session  at  Baton 
Rouge,  giving  him  hardly  time  to  think  of  the  Semi 
nary.  .  . 

The  ordinance  of  Secession  will  pass  in  a  day  or  so,79 
but  the  legislature  was  adjourned  till  February  4,  so 
that  no  business  can  be  transacted  there  for  some  days. 
It  don't  take  long  to  pull  down,  and  everybody  is  striv 
ing  for  the  honor  of  pouring  out  the  deepest  insult  to 
Uncle  Sam.  The  very  men  who  last  4th  of  July  were 
most  patriotic  and  exhausted  their  imaginations  for  pic 
tures  of  the  glories  of  our  Union,  are  now  full  of  joy  and 
happiness  that  this  accursed  Union  is  wrecked  and  de 
stroyed. 

This  rapid  popular  change  almost  makes  me  mon 
archist,  and  raises  the  question  whether  the  self  interest 
of  one  man  is  not  a  safer  criterion  than  the  wild  opinions 
of  ignorant  men.  From  all  I  can  read  Missouri  and 
Kentucky  will  go  with  the  crowd  South  and  will  be 
more  seriously  affected  than  any  other  part  of  the  coun 
try. 

As  soon  as  I  hear  from  Governor  Moore  I  will  let 
you  know  when  to  expect  me.  I  know  that  he,  the  govern 
or,  will  feel  inclined  to  get  rid  of  me  instanter,  but  Dr. 
Smith  wants  me  to  stay  for  a  successor,  and  he  has  no 
successor  in  his  mind.  If  he  proposes  I  shall  stay  till 
March,  I  will  feel  disposed  to  agree  to  it  for  pecuniary 
reasons,  but  I  think  the  governor  will  feel  hurt  at  my 
letter,  and  will  be  disposed  to  get  rid  of  me.  At  all 
events,  my  position  being  clearly  defined  I  cannot  be 
complicated  by  these  secession  movements.  I  do  feel  a 

78  See  pages  341-343,  350-351- -En. 

79  It  was  passed  on  January  26,   1861.  —  ED. 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  353 

little  mean  at  being  made  partially  accessory  to  the  rob 
bing  of  the  Baton  Rouge  Arsenal  by  receiving  a  part  of 
the  stolen  property.  .  . 

S.  A.  SMITH  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  January  28, 1 86 1. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  was  duly  received,  and 
would  have  been  answered  ere  this  time  could  I  have 
arranged  sooner  the  matter  of  the  five  hundred  dollars. 
I  shall  go  from  here  to  New  Orleans  to-day  or  to-mor 
row,  and  will  remain  there  till  Saturday  after  next,  per 
haps.  I  shall  expect  to  meet  you  there,  as  indicated  in 
your  note  to  me. 

I  need  not  tell  you  that  it  is  with  no  ordinary  regret 
that  I  view  your  determination  to  leave  us,  for  really  I 
believe  that  the  success  of  our  institution,  now  almost  as 
sured,  is  jeopardized  thereby.  I  am  sure  that  we  will 
never  have  a  superintendent  with  whom  I  shall  have 
more  pleasant  relations  than  those  which  have  existed 
between  yourself  and  me. 

I  fully  appreciate  the  motives  which  have  induced 
you  to  give  up  a  position  presenting  so  many  advantages 
to  yourself,  and  sincerely  hope  that  you  may,  in  any  fu 
ture  enterprise,  enjoy  the  success  which  your  character 
and  ability  merit  and  deserve.  .  . 

Colonel  Bragg  informs  me  that  the  necessary  orders 
have  been  given  for  the  transfer  and  receipt  by  Major 
Smith  of  the  public  property. 

I  herewith  transmit  a  request  to  the  secretary  to 
convene  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  that  they  may  act  as 
seems  best  to  them  in  the  premises. 

In  the  mean  time,  Major  Smith  will  command  by 
seniority  the  cadets,  and  the  Academic  Board  will  be 
able  to  conduct  the  scientific  exercises  of  the  institution 
until  the  Board  of  Supervisors  can  have  time  to  act.  .  . 


354  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

P.S.  Governor  Moore  desires  me  to  express  his  pro 
found  regret  that  the  state  is  about  to  lose  one  who  we  all 
fondly  hoped  had  cast  his  destinies  for  weal  or  for  woe 
among  us ;  and  that  he  is  sensible  that  we  lose  an  officer 
whom  it  will  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  replace. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  G.  MASON  GRAHAM 

ALEXANDRIA,  January  31,  1861. 

DEAR  SIR:  A  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  is 
called  by  instruction  of  Dr.  S.  A.  Smith,  vice-president, 
at  ii  a.m.  Saturday,  February  9,  in  Alexandria. 

May  I  ask  your  attendance,  and  your  influence,  with 
your  neighbors  for  their  attendance,  as  Dr.  Smith's  ab 
sence  will  make  a  quorum  hard  to  get. 

Business  of  importance  will  be  laid  before  you,  em 
bracing  the  steps  made  imperatively  necessary,  by  my 
withdrawal  from  my  present  duties  of  superintendent 
and  treasurer. 

I  have  a  sealed  letter  from  Dr.  Smith  to  the  Board, 
and  I  cannot  tell  whether  he  intends  to  be  present  or  not. 

NOTE  BY  GRAHAM  ENDORSED  ON  THE  ABOVE 

Have  you  received  notice  to  attend  any  such  meeting? 
This  letter  of  Colonel  Sherman's  is  all  I  know  about  it. 
I  fear  Sherman  is  to  be  chiselled  out  of  the  five  hundred 
dollars  a  year  engaged  to  be  paid  him  in  the  Arsenal 
bill  of  last  year.  That  bill  authorizes  it  "to  be  paid  quar 
terly  on  his  own  warrant."  The  auditor,  or  treasurer, 
one  or  the  other,  I  understand  will  not  pay  it  because  it 
was  not  in  the  Appropriation  Bill,  thanks  to  the  expe 
rience  and  sagacity  of  some  of  our  friends.  Once  Colo 
nel  Sherman  leaves  here,  he  will  neither  come  back,  nor 
send  back  to  ask  for  it. 

I  am  going  to  New  Orleans,  whither  I  have  been  try 
ing  to  get  off  for  more  than  three  months.  My  trunk  has 


jltete  jtmrnm^  of 

AND   MILITARY  ACADEMY. 


f2z^/>  . 


2^-v^C 


SHERMAN'S  LHTTHR  TO  (JKNHRAL  G.  M.  GRAHAM 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  357 

been  in  Alexandria  for  that  purpose  since  Sunday,  and 
I  must  go  on  the  "Burton"  on  Thursday -but  I  wish 
that  you  gentlemen  would  do  what  I  should  do  myself 
if  present:  propose  to  and  urge  on  the  Board  the  passage 
of  a  Resolution  directing  the  vice-president  to  pay 
Colonel  S.  the  full  amount  due  him  on  that  score  up  to 
the  day  of  his  withdrawal,  out  of  the  Seminary  funds, 
and  then  take  Colonel  Sherman's  warrant,  on  the  auditor 
for  the  amount,  which  when  appropriated  by  the  legisla 
ture  would  thus  be  returned  to  the  Seminary  funds. 

The  increase  of  his  salary  in  that  manner,  was  a  part 
of  the  inducement  to  him  to  decline  the  appointment  to 
London,  and  I  am  sure  there  was  no  intention  any  where 
to  deceive  or  disappoint  him,  and  under  all  the  atten 
dant  circumstances  now  no  consideration  whatever 
ought  to  be  allowed  to  interfere  with  his  immediate  re 
ception  of  it,  and  I  hope  you  gentlemen  will  urge  and 
insist  on  it. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

February  i,  1861. 

.  .  .  It  is  war  to  surround  Anderson  with  batter 
ies,  and  it  is  shilly-shally  for  the  South  to  cry  "Hands 
off!  No  coercion!"  It  was  war  and  insult  to  expel  the 
garrison  at  Baton  Rouge,  and  Uncle  Sam  had  better  cry 
"Cave I"  or  assert  his  power.  Fort  Sumter  is  not  mate 
rial,  save  for  the  principle ;  but  Key  West  and  the  Tortu- 
gas  should  be  held  in  force  at  once,  by  regulars,  if  pos 
sible,  if  not,  by  militia.  Quick!  They  are  occupied 
now,  but  not  in  force. 

Whilst  maintaining  the  high,  strong  ground  you  do,  I 
would  not  advise  you  to  interpose  an  objection  to  secur 
ing  concessions  to  the  middle  and  moderate  states  -  Vir 
ginia,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Missouri.  Slavery 


358  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

there  is  local,  and  even  if  the  world  were  open  to  them, 
its  extension  would  involve  no  principle.  If  these  states 
felt  the  extreme  South  wrong,  a  seeming  concession 
would  make  them  committed.  The  cotton  states  are 
gone,  I  suppose.  Of  course,  their  commerce  will  be 
hampered.  .  . 

I  sent  you  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  the  governor.  Here 
is  his  answer  [see  pages  350-351]. 

This  is  very  handsome,  and  I  do  regret  this  political 
imbroglio.  I  do  think  it  was  brought  about  by  politi 
cians.  The  people  in  the  South  are  evidently  unanimous 
in  the  opinion  that  slavery  is  endangered  by  the  current 
of  events,  and  it  is  useless  to  attempt  to  alter  that  opinion. 
As  our  government  is  founded  on  the  will  of  the  people, 
when  that  will  is  fixed,  our  government  is  powerless,  and 
the  only  question  is  whether  to  let  things  slide  into  gen 
eral  anarchy,  or  the  formation  of  two  or  more  confed 
eracies,  which  will  be  hostile  sooner  or  later.  Still,  I 
know  that  some  of  the  best  men  of  Louisiana  think  this 
change  may  be  effected  peaceably.  But  even  if  the 
Southern  States  be  allowed  to  depart  in  peace,  the  first 
question  will  be  revenue. 

Now,  if  the  South  have  free  trade,  how  can  you  col 
lect  revenues  in  the  eastern  cities?  Freight  from  New 
Orleans  to  St.  Louis,  Chicago,  Louisville,  Cincinnati, 
and  even  Pittsburg,  would  be  about  the  same  as  by  rail 
from  New  York,  and  importers  at  New  Orleans,  having 
no  duties  to  pay,  would  undersell  the  East  if  they  had  to 
pay  duty.  Therefore,  if  the  South  make  good  their  con 
federation  and  their  plan,  the  northern  confederacy 
must  do  likewise  or  blockade.  Then  comes  the  question 
of  foreign  nations.  So,  look  on  it  in  any  view,  I  see  no 
result  but  war  and  consequent  changes  in  the  form  of 
government.  .  . 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  359 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  BRAXTON  BRAGG 

SEMINARY  OF  LEARNING,  ALEXANDRIA,  Louisiana,  Feb 
ruary  i,  1861. 

DEAR  SIR:  ...  I  thank  you  most  kindly,  and 
Governor  Moore  through  you,  for  the  kind  manner  in 
which  you  have  met  my  wishes. 

Now  that  I  cannot  be  compromised  by  political 
events,  I  will  so  shape  my  course  as  best  to  serve  the  in 
stitution,  which  has  a  strong  hold  on  my  affections  and 
respect. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  will  be  called  for  the  9th 
instant,  and  I  will  co-operate  with  them  in  their  mea 
sures  to  place  matters  here  on  a  safe  and  secure  basis.  I 
expect  to  be  here  two  weeks,  and  will  make  you  full  re 
turns  for  moneys  and  property  belonging  to  the  State 
Central  Arsenal.  All  the  arms  and  ammunitions  are 
safely  stored  here.  Then  I  will  write  you  more  at  length. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  Feb.  i,  1861. 

.  .  .  I  suppose  you  are  impatient  to  hear  what 
next.  Last  night  I  got  full  letters  from  Baton  Rouge. 
Governor  Moore's  is  in  these  words  [see  pages35<>35i]. 

Dr.  Smith,  also  at  Baton  Rouge,  writes  me  at  length. 
He  says  [see  page  353]. 

So  you  see  I  have  at  least  the  good  will  of  all  my  asso 
ciates.  I  have  called  the  Board  for  February  9,  and  ex 
pect  to  leave  here  by  or  before  February  20.  I  shall  de 
lay  a  while  in  New  Orleans,  not  long,  and  get  to  Lancas 
ter  by  March.  .  .  If  you  really  desire  me  to  settle  in 
Ohio  you  must  make  some  exertions  for  I  cannot  abide 
there  long  in  inactivity,  and  loafing.  .  . 

I  have  a  good  letter  from  Turner  in  which  he  infers 
I  cannot  stay  here  and  advises  me  to  come  to  St.  Louis, 


36o  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

but  points  out  nothing  definite.  He  thinks  Missouri  will 
not  secede,  but  if  she  do  not  they  will  have  a  severe  con 
test  there,  for  men  who  own  negroes  are  blind  to  all  in 
terests  other  than  those  of  slavery.  Reason  has  nothing 
to  do  in  these  times  of  change  and  revolution.  Politi 
cians  start  the  movement  and  keep  it  alive  by  a  process 
known  to  themselves,  and  the  poor  innocent  people  have 
nothing  to  do  but  follow  their  lead.  It  may  not  be  so 
there,  but  I  am  not  convinced. 

I  see  John  takes  bold  ground.  He  is  right.  If  the 
government  be  a  reality  it  should  defend  its  flag,  prop 
erty  and  servants.  Anderson  should  be  reinforced  if  it 
cost  ten  thousand  lives  and  every  habitation  in  Charles 
ton.  Also  the  seizure  of  these  arsenals  should  be  resent 
ed  and  the  actors  made  to  feel  that  the  United  States  is 
a  reality.  But  the  time  is  not  yet.  .  . 

G.  MASON  GRAHAM  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

TYRONE,  LA.,  Wednesday,  Feb.  6,  1861. 

DEAR  COLONEL  :  .  .  .  Those  cartridges 80  are  the 
wretched  (as  I  am  sorry  to  learn  from  you  they  turn  out 
to  be)  remains  of  my  old  company,  "The  Rapides  Horse 
Guards."  The  vaulting  ambition  of  a  succeeding  com 
pany  and  the  characteristic  legislation  of  the  police  jury 
got  the  carbines,  sabres,  pistols,  and  accoutrements 
burned  up;  the  small  box  of  cartridges  which  I  have 
here  being  perfectly  sound,  it  had  not  occurred  to  me 
that,  put  up  as  they  are,  they  could  be  damaged;  those 
you  got  have  always  remained  in  the  railroad  warehouse, 
and  I  am  sorry  to  hear  from  you  that  they  have  become 
useless ;  it  is  not  a  matter  of  so  much  consequence  now 
to  either  of  us  as  it  was  a  few  months  ago. 

Your  letters  have  given  me  much  food  for  sad  re 
flection.  I  have  tried  in  various  ways,  after  my  quiet 

80  See  pages  317  and  328.  —  ED. 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS 361 

fashion,  during  thirty  odd  years  of  residence  here,  to  do 
these  people  some  good.  The  organization  of  this  Semi 
nary,  with  yourself  at  the  head  of  it  -  I  had  hoped  some 
thing  from  it  in  the  way  of  elevating  their  social  and 
mental  conditions,  but  it  is  ever  casting  "pearls  before 
swine;"  for  the  future  I  shall  "let  Ephraim  alone,  for  he 
is  wedded  to  his  idols." 

All  of  these  proceedings!  people  in  their  sovereign 
capacity  assembled  in  convention,  and  legislature  in  ses 
sion  at  the  same  time !  What  do  we  want  with  both?  -  to 
make  more  taxes  to  feed  hungry  Locofocos. 

I  have  been  trying  for  more  than  three  months  to  get 
off  to  New  Orleans.  On  Sunday  sent  my  trunk  to  Alex 
andria,  expecting  to  go  on  Monday.  Now  my  passage 
is  taken  for  to-morrow  on  the  "Burton"  (couldn't  go  to 
the  party  at  Joe  Hynson's  last  night  for  want  of  clothes, 
for  the  road  is  in  too  impassable  a  condition  to  send  for 
my  trunk  and  then  send  it  back  again),  so  that  I  cannot 
await  the  uncertainty  of  a  meeting  of  the  board  on  Sat 
urday. 

I  sent  yesterday  your  last  letter,  informing  me  of  the 
call  of  the  meeting,  up  to  Sanford  and  Whittington,  re 
questing  them  to  attend,  and  to  insist  on  the  passage  of  a 
resolution  directing  the  vice-president  to  pay  you  your 
arsenal  salary  up  to  the  day  of  your  withdrawal,  out  of 
Seminary  funds,  and  take  your  warrant  on  the  auditor 
for  the  amount  when  appropriated  by  the  legislature,  to 
be  thus  returned  to  the  Seminary  funds.  If  I  was  cer 
tain  that  there  would  be  a  full  quorum  and  a  boat  on 
which  I  could  get  off  on  Saturday  afternoon,  much  as  it 
would  inconvenience  me,  I  should  remain  for  this 
purpose.  .  . 

Sherman's  last  formal  act  as  superintendent  of  the  Seminary 
was  the  drafting  of  a  special  report  dated  in  response  to  a  legis- 


362  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

lative  resolution  asking  for  information  relative  to  methods  of 
admission  of  state  cadets.  A  few  candidates  for  admission  had 
been  rejected  because  of  lack  of  preparation  and  their  relatives 
and  friends  had  brought  the  matter  before  the  state  legislature, 
charging  that  discrimination  had  been  made  in  favor  of  some 
cadets  and  against  others  especially  against  French  speaking 
candidates.  In  his  reply,  Sherman  stated  that  certain  students 
had  been  sent  home.  "Parce  qu'ils  ne  pouvaient  pas  lire  et  ecrire 
la  langue  anglaise,  ne  pouvaient  pas  additioner,  soustraire,  mul 
tiplier  et  diviser  les  chiffres  communs,  et  parce  qu'ils  n'avaient 
aucune  connaissance  des  fractions  vulgaires  et  decimals."  The 
explanation,  accompanied  by  documents  all  in  French,  put  an 
end  to  the  charges  of  favoritism. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  reluctantly  accepted  Sherman's 
resignation  to  take  effect  February  28,  but  did  not  elect  a  suc 
cessor.  Subsequent  correspondence  shows  that  some  of  the  su 
pervisors  were  hoping  that  if  war  did  not  come  he  might  be 
induced  to  return  to  Louisiana. 

S.  A.  SMITH  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  Feb.  n,  1861. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  have  been  in  New  Orleans  for  ten  days, 
and  on  returning  here  find  two  letters  from  you,  also 
your  prompt  answer  to  the  resolution  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  for  which  I  am  much  obliged. 

The  resolution  passed  the  last  day  before  adjourn 
ment.  I  was  purposing  to  respond,  when  your  welcome 
report  came  to  hand.  I  have  arranged  to  pay  you  five 
hundred  dollars. 

I  will  say  nothing  of  general  politics,  except  to  give 
my  opinion  that  there  is  not  to  be  any  war. 

In  the  event,  would  it  not  be  possible  for  you  to  be 
come  a  citizen  of  our  state?  Every  one  deplores  your 
determination  to  leave  us.  At  the  same  time  your 
friends  feel  that  you  are  abandoning  a  position  that 
might  become  an  object  of  desire  to  any  one. 

I  will  try  to  meet  you  in  New  Orleans  at  any  time  you 


SHERMAN  RESIGNS  363 

may  indicate;  but  it  would  be  best  for  you  to  stop  here, 
when,  if  possible,  I  will  accompany  you.  .  .  Bring 
with  you  a  few  copies  of  the  "Rules  of  the  Seminary." 

RESOLUTION  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS 

February  14,  1861. 

SIR:  I  am  instructed  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of 
this  institution  to  present  a  copy  of  the  resolutions 
adopted  by  them  at  their  last  meeting: 

RESOLVED,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
are  due,  and  are  hereby  tendered,  to  Colonel  William 
T.  Sherman  for  the  able  and  efficient  manner  in  which 
he  has  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  Seminary  during  the 
time  the  institution  has  been  under  his  control  -  a  period 
attended  with  unusual  difficulties,  requiring  on  the  part 
of  the  superintendent  to  successfully  overcome  them  a 
high  order  of  administrative  talent.  And  the  Board 
further  bear  willing  testimony  to  the  valuable  services 
that  Colonel  Sherman  has  rendered  them  in  their  ef 
forts  to  establish  an  institution  of  learning  in  accordance 
with  the  beneficient  design  of  the  State  and  Federal 
Governments ;  evincing  at  all  times  a  readiness  to  adapt 
himself  to  the  ever-varying  requirements  of  an  institu 
tion  of  learning  in  its  infancy,  struggling  to  attain  a  po 
sition  of  honor  and  usefulness. 

RESOLVED  further,  that,  in  accepting  the  resignation 
of  Colonel  Sherman  as  superintendent  of  the  State 
Seminary  of  Learning  and  Military  Academy,  we  ten 
der  to  him  assurances  of  our  high  personal  regard,  and 
our  sincere  regret  at  the  occurrence  of  causes  that  render 
it  necessary  to  part  with  so  esteemed  and  valued  a  friend, 
as  well  as  co-laborer  in  the  cause  of  education. 

POWHATAN  CLARKE,  secretary  to  the  Board. 


364  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MRS.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY  (Sunday),  Feb.  16,  1861. 

.  .  .  I  have  been  busy  all  day  in  making  up  ac 
counts  and  papers  and  packing  up.  I  shall  leave  here 
on  Tuesday  and  will  meet  Dr.  Smith  at  New  Orleans  by 
Friday  and  hope  to  take  the  cars  by  Saturday  night  for 
St.  Louis. 

I  expect  nothing  at  St.  Louis  and  go  there  merely  to 
see  old  acquaintances  and  friends  and  to  look  at  that 
little  farm.  I  will  not  delay  long  and  will  be  home  be 
fore  the  4th  March.  That  is  I  suppose  the  critical  mo 
ment.  Much  now  depends  on  the  action  of  that  assem 
blage  in  Washington  gl  of  which  I  am  pleased  to  see 
your  father  is  a  member.  Still  when  opinions. so  widely 
vary  as  they  do  it  is  almost  impossible  to  discuss  any 
practicable  question. 

I  went  up  the  Bayou  last  week  to  visit  the  Lucketts, 
Sanfords,  Comptons,  Grahams,  and  Longs.  All,  how 
ever  were  so  full  of  northern  outrages,  wrongs,  oppres 
sions,  etc.,  that  'twas  useless  to  argue.  There  seems  to  be 
universal  regret  that  I  leave  and  I  received  [such]  un 
mistakable  evidence  of  kindly  regard  that  I  cannot  but 
feel  some  regret  at  parting.  .  . 


81  The  Peace  Convention.  —  ED. 


X.  TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH 

Sherman  leaves  the  Seminary  and  goes  to  New  Orleans.  Settles  his  ac 
count  with  the  state  of  Louisiana.  Politics  in  New  Orleans.  Anarchy  not 
slavery  the  issue.  Bragg  is  organizing  regulars.  Sherman  writes  of  his 
children.  His  comments  on  the  Confederate  leaders  and  Confederate  prepara 
tions.  The  Seminary  after  Sherman  left.  Resolutions  of  the  Academic  Board. 
Sherman  goes  to  St.  Louis.  His  new  duties  as  president  of  a  street  railway 
company.  Views  on  slavery  and  secession.  Not  a  Black  Republican.  The 
beginning  of  war.  The  Seminary  students  enlist  in  the  Confederate  Army. 
Newly  elected  superintendents  resign.  Sherman's  last  letter  to  the  South. 
Conditions  in  the  North.  Predicts  war  and  invasion.  Is  appointed  Colonel 
of  the  Thirteenth  United  States  Infantry. 

After  severing  his  connection  with  the  Seminary,  Sherman 
spent  several  days  in  New  Orleans  leaving  there  on  February  24 
for  St.  Louis,  whence  he  went  to  his  home  in  Lancaster,  Ohio. 
Here  he  remained  a  few  days  and  then  at  the  request  of  his  broth 
er  John  Sherman,  he  visited  Washington.  Not  pleased  with  the 
attitude  of  the  administration  he  went  back  to  the  West,  ac 
cepted  an  offer  of  the  presidency  of  the  St.  Louis  street  railway 
system  and  moved  his  family  to  St.  Louis.  About  two  months 
later,  when  Lincoln  called  for  three-year  volunteers  he  re- 
entered  the  army. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

NEW  ORLEANS,  Feb.  23,  1861. 

DEAR  MR.  BOYD:  I  fear  from  our  experience  here 
the  cadets  did  not  have  a  good  time  of  it  last  night.  It 
rained  here  a  part  of  the  day  and  night  and  now  we  are 
having  a  sort  of  postscript  in  a  heavy  shower.  I  have 
had  a  good  deal  of  running  about  to  do  to-day,  because  I 
got  here  on  Thursday  after  bank  hours,  and  yesterday 
being  a  holiday  it  was  closed,  and  this  morning  on  appli 
cation  I  found  the  book  which  I  had  sent  down  a  week 
ago  by  mail  only  got  here  this  morning.  So  I  did  not 


366  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

get  it  till  2 130  p.m.  and  Dr.  Smith  wanted  to  go  to  Baton 
Rouge  at  5  p.m.  so  we  gave  it  but  a  rapid  examination, 
but  there  being  a  balance  in  bank  larger  than  I  claimed 
Dr.  Smith  was  on  the  safe  side  in  passing  it.  I  have 
been  with  him  to  the  boat,  and  he  is  off  for  Baton 
Rouge,  and  I  have  naught  to  do  but  be  off  for  home.  I 
shall  start  to-morrow,  Sunday,  for  St.  Louis  to  reach 
there  Monday  evening. 

Tell  St.  Ange  that  I  found  Madame  Lefevre  and  got 
the  books  entered,  though  I  was  bothered  by  the  deputy 
collector.  Still  I  think  he  will  soon  receive  the  books. 
I  made  the  custom-house  oath  without  seeing  the  list 
invoice  of  books.  I  know  you  will  expect  me  to  tell  you 
some  general  political  news.  All  here  is  secession  on 
the  streets.  Indoors  they  are  more  reasonable  and  some 
have  said  to  me  that  even  yet  if  the  North  will  give  guar 
antees,  this  state  would  return.  More  than  one  have  said 
that  the  leaders  were  afraid  to  leave  it  to  a  vote  of  the 
people.  Congress  can  do  nothing.  The  Peace  Confer 
ence  may  report.  I  don't  see  what  Lincoln  or  any  man 
can  do,  when  sections  are  arrayed  against  each  other  and 
will  not  believe  each  other. 

I  still  adhere  to  my  old  notion  that  we  have  to  fear 
anarchy  more  than  a  direct  conflict  on  the  slavery  issue. 
If  any  of  the  Southern  States  become  dissatisfied  with 
the  tariff  policy  of  the  new  combination  and  I  have  my 
self  heard  merchants  talk  pretty  plainly  of  the  tariff  al 
ready  imposed  on  northern  goods,  they  will  secede  a 
second  time  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  the  chapter. 

I  have  seen  a  good  deal  of  Bragg  who  goes  on  quietly 
but  steadily,  organizing  two  regiments  of  regulars  and 
mark  my  word  when  a  time  of  strife  comes  he  will  be 
prepared. 

He  tells  me  there  is  an  officer  at  West  Point  whose 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          367 

name  I  now  forget,  who  wants  to  be  your  superinten 
dent.  But  the  governor  has  advertised  for  one  to  apply 
before  April  6 -so  that  no  choice  will  take  place  till 
then.  In  the  mean  time  Dr.  Smith  has  the  check  book 
and  can  draw  for  money.  I  really  do  hope  you  may  have 
a  clever  fellow,  for  your  social  position  is  one  of  isola 
tion  and  those  who  are  so  banished  should  have  respect 
and  even  fondness  for  each  other.  There  is  no  pleasure 
or  satisfaction  in  life  when  one's  associate  is  devoid  of 
feeling,  sense,  or  judgment.  With  these  and  a  few  com 
panions  I  have  never  cared  much  whether  my  abode  was 
in  Wall  St.,  San  Francisco,  in  the  Desert,  in  Kansas,  or 
Ohio. 

But  the  truth  is  I  have  socially  been  too  much  isolated 
from  my  children,  and  now  that  they  are  at  an  age  when 
for  good  or  ill  we  should  be  together  I  must  try  and  allay 
that  feeling  of  change  and  venture  that  has  made  me  a 
wanderer.  If  possible  I  will  settle  down  -  fast  and  posi 
tive.  Of  a  summer  eve  with  my  little  Minnie  and  Willy 
and  the  rascal  Tom  I  can  live  over  again  my  Florida 
life,  my  ventures  in  California,  and  my  short  sojourn  in 
the  pine  woods  of  Louisiana,  and  I  will  teach  them  that 
there  are  kind  good  people  everywhere,  that  a  great  God 
made  all  the  world,  that  He  slighted  no  part,  that  to 
some  He  assigned  the  rock  and  fir  -  with  clear  babbling 
brooks  but  cold  and  bitter  winters,  to  others  the  grassy 
plain  and  fertile  soil,  to  others  the  rich  alluvium  and 
burning  sun  to  ripen  the  orange  and  sugar  cane,  but 
everywhere  He  gave  the  same  firmament,  the  same 
gentle  moon,  and  to  the  inhabitants  the  same  attributes 
for  good  and  evil. 

What  a  beautiful  task  in  theory,  which  may  all  ex 
plode  the  first  moment  of  its  realization  but  still  one  to 
dream  of  -  and  I  know  you  will  believe  me  sincere  when 


368  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

I  hope,  in  that  little  group,  wherever  it  may  be,  you  will 
some  day  drop  in  and  try  my  hospitality.  I  assure  you  I 
know  of  no  gentleman  whom  I  would  more  gladly  re 
ceive  under  my  roof  -  because  I  feel  you  would  appre 
ciate  what  is  good  in  fact,  good  in  intention,  and  would 
make  allowances  for  poverty  or  mismanagement.  If 
present  politicians  break  up  our  country,  let  us  resolve 
to  reestablish  it  -  for  the  ties  inter-partes  ought  not  to 
be  severed. 

On  February  23  in  a  note  to  his  wife  Sherman  wrote :  "Noth 
ing  new.  All  secession  here,  and  I  am  suspect.  Am  quite 
well  and  impatient  to  be  off."  An  account  of  his  stay  in  New 
Orleans  is  given  in  his  Memoirs  [vol.  i,  189]. 

About  the  2Oth  of  February,  having  turned  over  all 
property,  records,  and  money,  on  hand,  to  Major  Smith, 
and  taking  with  me  the  necessary  documents  to  make  the 
final  settlement  with  Dr.  S.  A.  Smith,  at  the  bank  in  New 
Orleans,  where  the  funds  of  the  institution  were  depos 
ited  to  my  credit,  I  took  passage  from  Alexandria  for 
that  city,  and  arrived  there,  I  think,  on  the  23d.82  Dr. 
Smith  met  me,  and  we  went  to  the  bank,  where  I  turned 
over  to  him  the  balance,  got  him  to  audit  all  my  ac 
counts,  certify  that  they  were  correct  and  just,  and  that 
there  remained  not  one  cent  of  balance  in  my  hands.  I 
charged  in  my  account  current  for  my  salary  up  to  the 
end  of  February,  at  the  rate  of  four  thousand  dollars  a 
year,  and  for  the  five  hundred  dollars  due  me  as  super 
intendent  of  the  Central  Arsenal,  all  of  which  was  due 
and  had  been  fairly  earned,  and  then  I  stood  free  and 
discharged  of  any  and  every  obligation,  honorary  or 
business,  that  was  due  by  me  to  the  State  of  Louisiana,  or 
to  any  corporation  or  individual  in  the  state. 

This  business  occupied  two  or  three  days,  during 

82  The  22nd.  -  ED. 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          369 

which  I  staid  at  the  St.  Louis  Hotel.  I  usually  sat  at 
table  with  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Bragg,  and  an  officer  who 
wore  the  uniform  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  and  was  ad 
dressed  as  captain.  Bragg  wore  a  colonel's  uniform,  and 
explained  to  me  that  he  was  a  colonel  in  the  state  service, 
a  colonel  of  artillery,  and  that  some  companies  of  his 
regiment  garrisoned  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip,  and 
the  arsenal  at  Baton  Rouge. 

Beauregard  at  the  time  had  two  sons  at  the  Seminary 
of  Learning.  I  had  given  them  some  of  my  personal 
care  at  the  father's  request,  and,  wanting  to  tell  him  of 
their  condition  and  progress,  I  went  to  his  usual  office 
in  the  Custom-House  Building,  and  found  him  in  the 
act  of  starting  for  Montgomery,  Alabama.  Bragg  said 
afterward  that  Beauregard  had  been  sent  for  by  Jeffer 
son  Davis,  and  that  it  was  rumored  that  he  had  been 
made  a  brigadier-general,  of  which  fact  he  seemed  jeal 
ous,  because  in  the  old  army  Bragg  was  the  senior. 

.  .  .  I  recall  a  conversation  at  the  tea-table,  one 
evening,  at  the  St.  Louis  Hotel.  When  Bragg  was 
speaking  of  Beauregard's  promotion,  Mrs.  Bragg,  turn 
ing  to  me,  said,  "You  know  that  my  husband  is  not  a 
favorite  with  the  new  president."  My  mind  was  resting 
on  Mr.  Lincoln  as  the  new  president,  and  I  said  I  did 
not  know  that  Bragg  had  ever  met  Mr.  Lincoln,  when 
Mrs.  Bragg  said,  quite  pointedly,  "I  didn't  mean  your 
president,  but  our  president."  I  knew  Bragg  hated 
Davis  bitterly,  and  that  he  had  resigned  from  the  army 
in  1855,  or  ^56,  because  Davis,  as  secretary  of  war,  had 
ordered  him,  with  his  battery,  from  Jefferson  Barracks, 
Missouri,  to  Fort  Smith  or  Fort  Washita,  in  the  Indian 
country,  as  Bragg  expressed  it,  "to  chase  Indians  with 
six-pounders." 

I  visited  the  quartermaster,  Colonel  A.  C.  Myers, 


370  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

who  had  resigned  from  the  army,  January  28,  1861,  and 
had  accepted  service  under  the  new  regime.  His  office 
was  in  the  same  old  room  in  the  Lafayette  Square  Build 
ing,  which  he  had  in  1853,  when  I  was  there  a  commis 
sary,  with  the  same  pictures  on  the  wall,  and  the  letters 
"U.S."  on  every  thing,  including  his  desk,  papers,  etc. 
I  asked  him  if  he  did  not  feel  funny.  "No,  not  at  all. 
The  thing  was  inevitable,  secession  was  a  complete  suc 
cess  ;  there  would  be  no  war,  but  the  two  governments 
would  settle  all  matters  of  business  in  a  friendly  spirit, 
and  each  would  go  on  in  its  allotted  sphere,  without 
further  confusion."  .  . 

I  walked  the  streets  of  New  Orleans,  and  found  busi 
ness  going  along  as  usual.  Ships  were  strung  for  miles 
along  the  lower  levee,  and  steamboats  above,  all  dis 
charging  or  receiving  cargo.  The  Pelican  flag  of  Louis 
iana  was  flying  over  the  Custom  House,  Mint,  City 
Hall,  and  everywhere.  At  the  levee  ships  carried  every 
flag  on  earth  except  that  of  the  United  States,  and  I  was 
told  that  during  a  procession  on  the  22d  of  February, 
celebrating  their  emancipation  from  the  despotism  of 
the  United  States  government,  only  one  national  flag 
was  shown  from  a  house,  and  that  the  house  of  Cuthbert 
Bullitt,  on  Lafayette  Square.  He  was  commanded  to 
take  it  down,  but  he  refused  and  defended  it  with  his 
pistol. 

The  only  officer  of  the  army  that  I  can  recall,  as  being 
there  at  the  time,  who  was  faithful,  was  Colonel  C.  L. 
Kilburn,  of  the  Commissary  Department,  and  he  was 
preparing  to  escape  north. 

Everybody  regarded  the  change  of  government  as 
final;  that  Louisiana,  by  a  mere  declaration,  was  a  free 
and  independent  state,  and  could  enter  into  any  new  al 
liance  or  combination  she  chose. 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          371 

Men  were  enlisted  and  armed,  to  defend  the  state,  and 
there  was  not  the  least  evidence  that  the  national  admin 
istration  designed  to  make  any  effort,  by  force,  to  vindi 
cate  the  national  authority.  I  therefore  bade  adieu  to  all 
my  friends,  and  about  the  a^th  of  February  took  my  de 
parture  by  railroad,  for  Lancaster,83  via  Cairo  and  Cin 
cinnati. 

F.  W.  SMITH  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

SEMINARY,  March  i,  1861. 

MY  DEAR  MAJOR:  Your  letter  from  New  Orleans 
was  received  on  Monday  night.  .  .  Will  do  all  I 
can  to  carry  out  your  suggestions. 

The  Board  met  yesterday,  left  things  in  statu  quo,  and 
appointed  Dr.  Clarke  temporary  treasurer.  The  ball 
went  off  very  well,  the  cadets  conducting  themselves 
with  great  propriety,  though  to  a  certain  extent  with 
bashfulness.  Last  night  one  or  more  of  the  cadets  stole 
the  mouthpieces  to  all  the  instruments  of  music  in  the 
building  and  cut  the  drum  to  pieces.  So  Joe  Miller  has 
been  filling  blank  cartridges  all  day  from  an  old  bronze 
musket,  Cleland  having  gone  to  town  to  repair  damages. 
On  the  day  after  your  departure,  Mr.  Vallas  inaugu 
rated  himself,  and  issued  all  the  winter  pants.  Conse 
quently  a  new  cadet  who  has  just  come  in  has  none  at  all. 
There  was  a  strong  run  among  the  cadets  for  dimes, 
many  professing  that  they  had  not  had  any  for  four 
months. 

All  of  my  chemicals  have  come.  I  shall  send  Van 
Nostrand  a  check  in  a  day  or  so.  St.  Ange  is  grumbling 
as  usual,  Vallas  having  found  it  necessary  to  threaten 
him  with  a  report  to  the  Board.  Said  report  St.  Ange 
anticipated  by  a  complaint  for  redress  of  grievances, 

83  Sherman  went  first  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  stopped  for  a  few  days  before 
going  on  to  Ohio.  —  ED. 


372  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

which  grievances  had  prevented  his  blackboards  and 
windows  from  being  mended,  and  had  not  allowed  him 
to  have  O.  O.  Blair  in  French,  etc.  The  Board  sent  his 
petition  back  and  the  Academic  Board  meet  this  even 
ing  for  considering  it.  What  nonsense! 

SATURDAY.  I  was  interrupted  just  at  this  point  and 
recommence  my  letter.  The  Board  met  last  night  and 
decided  that  Mr.  St.  A's  communication  involved  no 
point  requiring  their  action.  Mr.  Vallas  will  satisfy 
him  by  buying  the  books.  The  mail  is  just  in,  bringing 
Boyd  your  letter,  for  which  he  thanks  you ;  also  one  from 
Bragg  sending  two  thousand  cartridges,  and  inquiring 
if  we  have  any  cadets  suitable  for  junior  lieutenants.  I 
have  not  determined  what  to  write  to  him,  as  we  could 
ill  spare  our  best  at  the  present  time. 

When  you  left,  Major,  I  wished  to  thank  you  for 
many  an  act  of  kindness  and  forbearance  that  you  had 
shown  me.  But  really  my  heart  was  so  full,  that  I  could 
not  speak.  I  have  often  been  petulant  and  perhaps  as 
suming  towards  you  all  and  I  could  have  received  no 
kinder  rebuke  than  the  manner  which  you  have  always 
displayed  towards  me.  I  look  with  deep  regret  upon  the 
fact  that  the  relations,  which  have  subsisted  between  us, 
and  which  have  been  so  pleasant  and  profitable  for  me, 
should  have  been  broken  off.  And  I  yet  hope  that  we 
may  meet  somewhere  and  those  feelings  of  respect  and 
friendship,  which  I  shall  always  have  for  you,  may  re- 
assume  a  tangible  shape. 

You  will  allow  me  to  present  my  warm  regards  to 
Mrs.  Sherman  and  the  children -to  express  my  regret 
that  I  was  denied  the  pleasure  which  I  had  often  antici 
pated,  of  forming  their  acquaintance,  and  I  sincerely 
hope  and  pray  that,  whether  you  settle  down  with  Min 
nie  and  Willy  on  your  knee,  or  again  become  a  "Wan 
derer,"  God  will  bless  you  and  yours. 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          373 

Clark,  Boyd,  and  the  Jarreaus  join  me  in  warm 
regards. 

S.  A.  SMITH  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

BATON  ROUGE,  LA.,  March  nth,  1861. 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  I  was  most  pleased  in  receiving  your 
letter  from  St.  Louis  and  gratified  to  learn  some  of  your 
opinions  upon  existing  questions  formed  while  you  sur 
veyed  the  field  from  a  new,  and  to  us,  opposite  stand 
point. 

I  inferred  from  reading  your  note  that  there  would 
be  no  policy  of  coercion  at  present.  At  this  I  expe 
rienced  a  feeling  of  relief  in  a  moment  as  I  relied  upon 
your  judgment  and  the  correctness  of  your  observation. 

The  abstract  questions  of  right  and  title  which  in  our 
new  positions  would  have  to  be  maintained  by  final 
arbitrament  of  arms,  lose  their  interest  in  the  face  of  the 
consequences  immediately  before  us  should  your  side  at 
this  time  institute  an  appeal  to  this  final  arbiter.  It  is 
certain  that  our  people  are  in  dead  earnest  when  they 
declare  that  they  have  a  right  to  secede  and  furthermore 
that  they  intend  to  exhaust  all  the  elements  at  their  dis 
posal  in  the  maintenance  of  this  position  should  it  be 
assailed  from  any  quarter. 

Whether  we  succeed  or  not  in  resisting  the  applica 
tion  of  force,  the  conflict  would  be  a  disgrace.  It  would 
be  a  blot  upon  our  page  in  the  history  of  the  world  and 
would  be  proclaimed  elsewhere  as  the  end  of  the  final 
experiment  in  determining  the  capacity  of  any  people 
for  self-government. 

It  would  lead  to  the  creation  and  perfecting  of  large 
standing  armies,  and  you  know  better  than  I  that  the 
principles  of  popular  government  could  not  stand 
against  the  interests  of  an  overwhelming  military  estab 
lishment  on  either  side. 


374  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

To  those  whose  belief  in  the  excellence  of  our  liberal 
institutions  -  won  by  so  many  trials  and  sacrifices  - 
amounts  to  a  religious  faith,  such  a  prospect  is  appall 
ing. 

Therefore  let  the  good  men  of  both  sections  exert  all 
their  influence  in  preventing  and  removing  all  causes  of 
collision.  Succeeding  in  this,  every  sincere  Democrat 
will  be  confident  that  the  people  will  in  some  way  ar 
range  all  matters  of  difference  in  some  satisfactory  man 
ner. 

I  have  nothing  of  interest  to  communicate.  The 
Seminary  seems  to  go  on  as  you  left  it.  I  had  a  letter 
from  my  wife  expressing  her  regret  at  our  losing  you 
and  telling  me  that  even  little  Ledoux  begged  you  to 
stay.  These  feelings  conformed  to  my  own  and  exhibit 
in  a  striking  manner  the  results  of  late  political  events. 

I  have  been  looking  for  some  reports  that  might  inter 
est  you  and  will  send  you  a  package.  There  is  one  from 
the  Judiciary  Committee  advocating  a  change  in  rela 
tion  to  the  law  of  evidence  which  I  commend  to 
your  notice  as  exceedingly  able,  beautiful,  and  excellent. 
It  is  the  production  of  one  of  our  first  lawyers,  Mr.  Ran 
dal  Hunt. 

I  shall  hope  that  you  will  continue  to  keep  me  posted 
as  to  your  movements  and  particularly  as  to  your  final 
decision  upon  a  place  to  settle  and  the  business  which 
you  resolve  to  engage  in.  At  the  same  time  I  shall  be 
most  happy  to  be  able  to  keep  you  informed  upon  any 
subject  which  may  interest  you  down  here. 

I  agree  with  you  that  our  interest  will  finally  deter 
mine  our  feelings  and  farther  that  the  people  will  fi 
nally  settle  the  whole  matter  when  they  have  been 
allowed  time  to  consider  and  understand  the  questions 
at  issue. 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          375 

I  would  be  glad  if  you  could  consistently  with  duty 
give  me  freely  and  frankly  your  opinions  as  to  the  prob 
able  line  of  policy  which  will  be  pursued  by  Lincoln's 
administration  when  you  have  had  the  opportunity  of 
ascertaining  pretty  certainly  what  it  will  be.  I  will 
promise  to  respond  in  like  manner  as  to  our  course  as 
such  interchanges  between  honest  men  can  have  no  other 
than  a  good  effect. 

With  every  wish  for  your  prosperity. 

RESOLUTIONS  OF  THE  ACADEMIC  BOARD 
APRIL,  i,  1 86 1 

RESOLVED,  that  in  the  resignation  of  the  late  superin 
tendent  Colonel  W.  T.  Sherman,  the  Academic  Board 
deem  it  not  improper  to  express  their  deep  conviction 
of  the  loss  the  institution  has  sustained  in  being  thus  de 
prived  of  an  able  head.  They  cannot  fail  to  appreciate 
the  manliness  of  character  which  has  always  marked  the 
actions  of  Colonel  Sherman.  While  he  is  personally  en 
deared  to  many  of  them  as  a  friend  they  consider  it  their 
high  pleasure  to  tender  to  him  in  this  resolution  their 
regret  on  his  separation,  and  their  sincere  wish  for  his 
future  welfare. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

OFFICE  ST.  Louis  RAILROAD  COMPANY,  St.  Louis,  April 
4, 1861. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND  :  I  promised  you  all  to  keep  you  ad 
vised  of  my  whereabouts  that  we  may  interchange  from 
time  to  time  the  thoughts  and  feelings  of  respect  and  af 
fection  which  I  feel  assured  still  subsists  between  us. 

By  the  caption  of  this  letter  you  will  see  me  in  a  rail 
road  office,  of  which  I  am  the  president  with  a  salary  of 
two  thousand  dollars.  I  have  my  entire  family  in  a  good 
house,  226  Locust  St.,  with  plenty  of  room  and  a  hearty 


376  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

welcome  for  friends  who  come  to  me  from  the  four 
quarters  of  the  globe,  and  I  will  believe  that  you,  or 
Smith,  or  the  Doctor,84  yea  Mr.  St.  Ange,  may  some 
summer  come  up  to  this  great  city,  the  heart  of  North 
America,  and  see  me  and  mine. 

I  acted  with  energy,  went  to  Washington,  satisfied 
myself  that  Lincoln  was  organizing  his  administration 
on  pure  party  principles,  concluded  it  was  no  place  for 
me  who  profess  to  love  and  venerate  my  whole  country 
and  not  a  mere  fraction  -  and  forthwith  to  Lancaster, 
pulled  up  stakes,  to  Cincinnati,  and  embarked  all  hands, 
with  carpets,  chairs,  beds,  kitchen  utensils,  even  my 
household  servants,  and  before  one  month  of  my  vacat 
ing  my  berth  in  Louisiana,  I  was  living  in  St.  Louis. 

I  see  my  way  ahead  for  one  year  and  must  trust  to  the 
future,  and  having  an  abundance  of  faith  in  St.  Louis 
with  its  vast  fertile  surrounding  country,  I  feel  no  uneas 
iness.  My  two  eldest  girls  are  in  a  Catholic  school  and 
this  morning  I  put  my  boy  Willy  in  a  public  school,  so 
that  with  the  exception  of  some  trifling  articles  of  fur 
niture  I  am  settled. 

My  duties  here  are  clearly  within  my  comprehension, 
and  indeed  I  think  I  can  actually  make  myself  more 
than  useful  to  the  stockholders  by  giving  personal  atten 
tion,  which  heretofore  has  devolved  on  hirelings.  In 
politics  I  do  not  think  I  change  with  country.  On  the 
negro  question  I  am  satisfied  there  is  and  was  no  cause 
for  a  severance  of  the  old  Union,  but  will  go  further  and 
say  that  I  believe  the  practice  of  slavery  in  the  South  is 
the  mildest  and  best  regulated  system  of  slavery  in  the 
world,  now  or  heretofore.  But,  as  there  is  an  incongru 
ity  in  black  and  white  labor,  I  do  think  in  the  new 
territories  the  line  of  separation  should  be  drawn  before 
rather  than  after  settlement.  As  to  any  guarantees  I 

84  Doctor  Clarke. -Eo. 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          377 

would  favor  any  approved  by  Rives,  Bell,  Crittenden 
and  such  men  whose  patriotism  cannot  be  questioned. 

On  the  question  of  secession  however  I  am  ultra.  I 
believe  in  coercion  and  cannot  comprehend  how  any 
government  can  exist  unless  it  defend  its  integrity.  The 
mode  and  manner  may  be  regulated  by  policy  and  wis 
dom,  but  that  any  part  of  a  people  may  carry  off  a  part 
of  the  common  territory  without  consent  or  purchase 
I  cannot  understand.  Now  I  know  as  well  as  I  can 
know  anything  uncertain  that  Louisiana  cannot  belong 
to  a  string  of  Southern  States.  She  must  belong  to  a 
system  embracing  the  Valley  States.  It  may  be  those 
Valley  States  may  come  to  Louisiana,  but  ultimately 
one  way  or  another,  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi  must 
be  under  one  system  of  government.  Else  quarrels, 
troubles,  and  confusions,  worse  than  war,  will  be  con 
tinuous. 

My  brother  John  is  now  senator,  and  quite  a  man 
among  the  Republicans,  but  he  regards  me  as  erratic 
in  politics.  He  nor  politicians  generally  can  under 
stand  the  feelings  and  opinions  of  one  who  thinks  him 
self  above  parties,  and  looks  upon  the  petty  machinery 
of  party  as  disgusting. 

There  are  great  numbers  here  who  think  like  me,  and 
at  the  election  here  a  few  days  ago  the  Black  Republi 
cans  were  beaten,  because  the  country  expected  of  Mr. 
Lincoln  a  national  and  not  a  party  government.  Had 
the  Southern  States  borne  patiently  for  four  years,  they 
could  have  had  a  radical  change  in  1864  that  might 
have  lasted  twenty  years.  Whereas  now,  no  man  is  wise 
enough  to  even  guess  at  future  combinations. 

I  hope  you  are  all  well,  that  the  Seminary  continues 
to  prosper,  that  you  have  a  clever  superintendent,  and 
that  one  day  not  far  distant  we  may  sail  under  the  same 
flag.  My  best  respects  to  the  Jarreaus  and  all  friends. 


378  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Early  in  April  Sherman  was  offered  the  chief  clerkship  in 
the  War  Department  with  the  promise  of  being  made  assistant 
secretary  of  war  when  congress  met.  He  declined  the  offer. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  MONTGOMERY  BLAIR 

I  received  about  nine  o'clock  Saturday  night,  your 
telegraphic  dispatch,  which  I  have  this  moment  an 
swered,  "I  cannot  accept." 

I  have  quite  a  large  family,  and  when  I  resigned  my 
place  in  Louisiana,  on  account  of  secession,  I  had  no 
time  to  lose ;  and,  therefore,  after  my  hasty  visit  to  Wash 
ington,  where  I  saw  no  chance  of  employment,  I  came 
to  St.  Louis;  have  accepted  a  place  in  this  company, 
have  rented  a  house,  and  incurred  other  obligations,  so 
that  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  change. 

I  thank  you  for  the  compliment  contained  in  your 
offer,  and  assure  you  that  I  wish  the  administration  all 
success  in  its  almost  impossible  task  of  governing  this 
distracted  and  anarchical  people. 

S.  A.  SMITH  TO  W.  T.  SHERMAN 

ALEXANDRIA,  April  24,  1861. 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  very  welcome 
letter  announcing  your  determination  to  settle  in  St. 
Louis. 

How  much  I  hope  that  you  will  be  able  to  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  your  adopted  state  is  right  in  oppos 
ing  herself  to  the  mad  career  of  the  Union  Splitter  and 
his  fanatical  crew.  How  delighted  we  all  should  be  to 
hear  that  in  the  coming  contest  we  might  boast  of  the 
possession  of  your  fine  talents  and  high  military  quali 
ties.  How  freely  we  would  furnish  you  with  the  means 
and  the  men  to  do  anything  possible  in  the  line  of  your 
profession. 

Our  state  will  furnish  without  an  effort  the  requisi- 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          379 

tion  made  upon  her  of  ten  thousand  men.  A 
large  force  for  her  population.  John  Kelso  left 
in  command  of  one  hundred  muster  men  this 
morning,  containing  my  nephew  together  with  Rob 
ertson's  two  sons  and  nephew. 

Manning,  myself  and  others  similarly  situated  have 
joined  another  which  will  be  ready  in  a  few  days. 

Caddo  Parish  has  already  sent  forward  two  large 
companies,  one  of  which  is  already  in  Pensacola.  .  . 

I  see  the  Northern  States  are  coming  forward  with 
equal  unanimity  upon  their  side,  so  we  may  calculate 
upon  a  gigantic  and  horrible  war  waged  by  brother 
against  brother. 

Is  it  not  a  pity  that  some  foreign  power  could  [not] 
have  been  selected  against  which  to  direct  the  forces 
now  about  to  be  applied  to  the  purposes  of  self-destruc 
tion. 

The  Seminary  boys  after  all  the  exertions  we  were 
able  to  make  are  all  bolting.  I  went  out  yesterday  and 
made  them  a  speech  and  appealed  to  them  in  the  interest 
of  the  public  and  their  own  interest  and  also  urged  their 
obligation  to  perform  military  duty.  It  had  little  or  no 
effect.  Finally  I  took  young  Stafford  out  and  as  the 
friend  of  his  father  begged  him  not  to  act  foolish.  He 
promised  me  to  remain.  To-day  he  is  a  volunteer  in  the 
same  company  with  myself. 

The  Seminary  will  evidently  be  soon  abandoned  for 
a  time  at  least.  Lieut.  Col.  Lay  was  chosen  as  your 
successor  and  I  am  just  in  receipt  of  his  resignation. 
Smith  has  also  given  notice  of  his  intention  to  resign, 
so  you  see  we  are  in  a  sad  plight. 

I  am  just  now  offering  your  former  place  to  Capt. 
W.  R.  Boggs,  whom  Bragg  insisted  upon  our  choosing 
in  the  first  instance,  recommending  him  by  saying  that 


38o  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

he  was  the  only  person  who  in  his  opinion  could  fill  the 
place  of  Sherman  or  could  stand  in  his  shoes. 

I  should  be  obliged  if  you  could  find  time  to  write 
occasionally.  .  . 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  JOHN  SHERMAN 

OFFICE  ST.  Louis  RAILROAD  COMPANY,  St.  Louis,  April 
25, 1861. 

DEAR  BROTHER  :  Virginia's  secession  influences  some 
six  millions  of  people.  No  use  in  arguing  about  it  at 
all,  but  all  the  Virginians,  or  all  who  trace  their  lineage 
back,  will  feel  like  obeying  her  dictates  and  example. 
As  a  state,  she  has  been  proud,  boastful,  and  we  may  say 
over-bearing;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  she,  by  her  gov 
ernors  and  authority,  has  done  everything  to  draw  her 
native-born  back  to  their  state. 

I  can  not  yet  but  think  that  it  was  a  fatal  mistake  in 
Mr.  Lincoln  not  to  tie  to  his  administration  by  some 
kind  of  link,  the  border  states.  Now  it  is  too  late,  and 
sooner  or  later  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Arkansas  will 
be  in  arms  against  us.  It  is  barely  possible  that  Mis 
souri  may  yet  be  neutral. 

It  is  pretty  nearly  determined  to  divert  the  half  mil 
lion  set  aside  for  the  July  interest  for  arming  the  state.85 
All  the  bankers  but  one  have  consented,  and  the  govern 
or  and  legislature  are  strongly  secession.  I  understand 
to-day  the  orders  at  the  custom  house  are  to  refuse  clear 
ance  to  steamboats  to  seceding  states.  All  the  heavy 
trade  with  groceries  and  provisions  is  with  the  South, 
and  this  order  at  once  takes  all  life  from  St.  Louis. 
Merchants  heretofore  for  peace,  and  even  for  backing 
the  administration  will  now  fall  off,  relax  in  their  exer 
tions,  and  the  result  will  possibly  be  secession,  and  then 
free  states  against  slave  -  the  horrible  array  so  long 

85  Missouri.  -  ED. 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          381 

dreaded.  I  know  Frank  Blair  desired  this  plain,  square 
issue.  It  may  be  that  sooner  or  later  it  is  inevitable,  but 
I  cannot  bring  myself  to  think  so.  On  the  necessity  of 
maintaining  a  government  and  that  government  the  old 
constitutional  one,  I  have  never  wavered,  but  I  do  recoil 
from  a  war,  when  the  negro  is  the  only  question. 

I  am  informed  that  McClellan  is  appointed  to  com 
mand  the  Ohio  militia-  a  most  excellent  appointment; 
a  better  officer  could  not  be  found. 

W.  T.  SHERMAN  TO  D.  F.  BOYD 

ST.  Louis,  May  13,  1861. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND :  I  have  been  intending  for  a  long 
while  to  answer  your  last  very  kind  letter.  I  suppose 
you  still  receive  papers  from  New  Orleans  and  Virginia 
giving  tolerably  fair  versions  of  the  events  which  are 
now  passing  all  around  us.  We  are  now  by  Declara 
tion  of  the  Confederate  Congress  and  by  act  of  our  own 
constituted  authorities  enemies,  and  I  can  not  yet  real 
ize  the  fact.  I  know  that  I  individually  would  not  do 
any  human  being  a  wrong,  take  from  him  a  cent,  or 
molest  any  of  his  rights  or  property,  and  yet  I  admit 
fully  the  fact  that  Lincoln  was  bound  to  call  on  the 
country  to  rally  and  save  our  constitution  and  govern 
ment.  Had  I  responded  to  his  call  for  volunteers  I 
know  that  I  would  now  be  a  Major-general.  But  my 
feelings  prompted  me  to  forbear  and  the  consequence 
is  my  family  and  friends  are  almost  cold  to  me,  and 
they  feel  and  say  that  I  have  failed  at  the  critical  mo 
ment  of  my  life.  It  may  be  I  am  but  a  chip  on  the 
whirling  tide  of  time  destined  to  be  cast  on  the  shore  as 
a  worthless  weed. 

But  I  still  think  in  the  hurly  burly  of  strife,  order  and 
system  must  be  generated,  and  grow  and  strengthen  till 
our  people  come  out  again  a  great  and  purified  nation. 


382  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

Lincoln  is  of  right  our  president  and  has  the  right  to 
initiate  the  policy  of  our  government  during  his  four 
years,  and  I  believe  him  sincere  in  his  repeated  declara 
tions  that  no  dismemberment  shall  be  even  thought  of. 
The  inevitable  result  is  war,  and  an  invasive  war. 

I  know  that  masses  of  men  are  organizing  and  dis- 
cipling  to  execute  the  orders  of  this  government.  They 
are  even  now  occupying  the  key  points  of  our  country; 
and  when  prepared  they  will  strike.  Not  in  detached 
columns  battling  with  an  excited  people,  but  falling  on 
exposed  points.  Already  is  Missouri  humbled;  I  have 
witnessed  it;  my  personal  friends  here,  many  of  them 
southern,  admit  that  Missouri's  fate  is  sealed.  There 
was  a  camp  of  about  one  thousand  five  hundred  young 
men,  who  though  seemingly  assembled  by  state  authority 
were  yet  notoriously  disaffected  to  the  government  and 
were  imprudent  enough  to  receive  into  their  camp  a 
quantity  of  the  arms  from  Baton  Rouge,  brought  up  as 
common  merchandise.  This  justified  the  government 
forces  here,  regulars  and  militia,  to  surround  and  cap 
ture  the  whole.  For  a  time  intense  excitement  prevailed, 
but  again  seeming  peace  has  come.  The  governor  and 
state  authorities  are  southern  by  birth  and  feeling  and 
may  make  some  spasmodic  efforts  to  move,  but  they  will 
be  instantly  overcome.  Superior  arms  and  numbers 
are  the  elements  of  war,  and  must  prevail. 

I  cannot  yet  say  if  Lincoln  will  await  the  action  of  his 
Congress  in  July.  I  think  he  will  as  to  any  grand  move 
ment,  but  in  the  meantime  Virginia,  Louisiana,  and 
Missouri,  will  be  held  or  threatened,  I  have  no  doubt  a 
hundred  thousand  disciplined  men  will  be  in  Louisiana 
by  Christmas  next.  The  Mississippi  River  will  be  a 
grand  theater  of  war,  but  not  till  the  present  masses  are 
well  disciplined.  It  is  horrible  to  contemplate  but  it 
cannot  be  avoided. 


TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  THE  NORTH          383 

No  one  now  talks  of  the  negro.  The  integrity  of  the 
Union  and  the  relative  power  of  state  and  general  gov 
ernment  are  the  issues  in  this  war.  Were  it  not  for  the 
physical  geography  of  the  country  it  might  be  that  peo 
ple  could  consent  to  divide  and  separate  in  peace.  But 
the  Mississippi  is  too  grand  an  element  to  be  divided, 
and  all  its  extent  must  of  necessity  be  under  one  govern 
ment.  Excuse  these  generalisms  -  we  have  said  them 
a  thousand  times. 

I  was  sorry  to  hear  from  Dr.  Smith  that  further  dis 
affection  had  crept  into  your  institution.  I  fear  for  the 
present  it  will  be  swept  by  the  common  storm, 
was  not  the  man,  and  it  is  well  he  has  declined.  Cer 
tainly  there  must  be  within  reach,  some  good  man  to 
manage  so  easy  a  machine.  I  think  the  machine  should 
be  kept  together,  even  on  the  smallest  scale.  Joe  Miller 
writes  me  that  the  arms 86  have  been  sent  off  and  there 
fore  his  occupation  gone.  I  will  write  if  he  cannot 
stay  to  return  to  his  brother  in  Ohio  and  not  go  to  Cali 
fornia  as  he  seems  to  think  about. 

I  am  still  here  with  this  road  and  my  family  living  at 
226  Locust  St.  No  matter  what  happens  I  will  always 
consider  you  my  personal  friend,  and  you  shall  ever  be 
welcome  to  my  roof.  Should  I  be  wrong  in  my  con 
clusions  of  this  terrible  anarchy  and  should  you  come  to 
St.  Louis,  I  know  you  will  be  pleased  with  the  many 
objects  of  interest  hereabouts.  Give  to  all  the  assurance 
of  my  kindest  remembrance  and  accept  for  yourself  my 
best  wishes  for  your  health  and  success  in  life. 

On  the  next  day,  May  14,  Sherman  received  a  telegram  stat 
ing  that  he  had  been  appointed  Colonel  of  the  Thirteenth  Unit 
ed  States  Infantry.  No  more  letters  passed  between  him  and 
his  southern  friends  until  after  the  war. 

A  month  after  Sherman  resigned  and  went  north,  the  Super- 

86  Stored  in  the  Seminary  Arsenal.  -  ED. 


384  SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 

visors  elected  Colonel  George  W.  Lay  as  superintendent,  but 
he  resigned  before  taking  charge.  Then  Captain  William  R. 
Boggs  was  elected  but  given  leave  of  absence  for  the  war,  while 
Dr.  Vallas  was  made  superintendent  pro  tem  for  the  rest  of  the 
session  of  1861.  Professors  Smith,  Boyd,  and  Clarke  resigned 
in  May,  1861,  to  enter  the  Confederate  service,  though  Boyd 
was  prevailed  upon  to  remain  until  the  end  of  the  session  in  June. 
The  cadets  began  to  leave  in  April  and  before  June  more  than 
half  had  gone  into  the  Confederate  regiments. 

During  the  war  the  Seminary  under  acting  superintendents, 
first  Rev.  W.  E.  M.  Linfield  and  next  Prof.  William  A.  Seay, 
held  two  partial  sessions  — one  in  1862  and  one  in  1862-1863. 
The  student  body  was  disbanded  in  April,  1863,  when  Banks 
came  up  the  Red  River  Valley.  The  only  regular  professors 
during  the  war  period  were  Vallas  and  St.  Ange.  Most  of  the 
students  were  boys  under  eighteen.  In  1864  during  Banks's 
second  invasion  of  central  Louisiana  the  books,  furniture  and 
equipment  of  the  Seminary  were  carried  away  by  the  Federals. 

All  of  the  students  who  were  old  enough,  except  Cadet 
Taliaferro,  entered  the  Confederate  army.  Taliaferro  enlisted 
in  the  Union  navy.  Numbers  wrere  killed  and  wounded  or  died 
in  prison.  Professor  Smith  was  killed  on  Lee's  retreat  to  Appo- 
mattox.  Professors  Boyd  and  Clarke  served  throughout  the 
war.  Sherman  was  able  to  render  aid  to  several  of  the  students 
and  professors  who  were  captured  in  battle  and  in  1864  by  flag 
of  truce  a  party  of  them  in  Louisiana  sent  to  him  a  letter  of 
thanks  for  his  kindness.  In  the  fall  of  1865  the  Seminary  was 
reopened  under  the  superintendency  of  Colonel  D.  F.  Boyd  the 
only  member  of  the  ante  bellum  faculty  who  returned  to  the 
school.  General  Graham  continued  his  active  interest  in  the 
Seminary  (called  after  1870  the  State  University)  until  his 
death  in  1887.  Sherman  visited  the  institution  twice  in  later 
years  and  was  able  to  befriend  it  in  many  ways.  Among  other 
things  he  was  influential  in  securing  for  it  the  grant  from  the 
government  of  the  garrison  grounds  and  buildings  at  Baton 
Rouge.  It  was  the  seizure  by  the  state  of  this  post  that  caused 
Sherman  to  resign  in  1861.  On  January  2,  1910,  Louisiana 
State  University  celebrated  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  the 
opening  of  the  institution. 


INDEX 


ABOLITION  MOVEMENT:  43-45,  88;  abo 
litionists,  disliked,  64,  297;  Sherman 
disclaims,  76;  Sherman's  stand,  84- 
85;  John  Sherman  not  abolitionist, 
121 ;  regarded  as,  173 ;  Seward  fav 
ors,  260-261 ;  Republicans'  interest, 
232,  305 ;  Republicans  and  abolition 
ists  identical,  333;  topic  avoided, 
128;  effect  in  South,  77;  effect  in 
country,  78;  South  hates,  176;  South 
and  North  equally  to  blame,  103 ; 
impracticable,  272-273 ;  gaining 
strength,  287;  strong  in  northern 
Ohio,  259;  cause  of  secession,  302; 
cause  of  crisis,  310;  see  Slavery 

Alabama:  212;  ready  for  secession, 
306,  307,  308 ;  determined  on  seces 
sion,  319;  taking  active  steps  to 
ward  secession,  331.  Cities —  Mo 
bile,  331;  Montgomery,  369 

Alexandria  (La.)  :  13,  14,  16,  19,  23, 
29,  30,  32,  33,  43,  55,  56,  57,  5^,  60, 
63,  74,  84,  87,  95,  128,  129,  143,  153, 
160,  161,  192,  194,  209,  211,  231,  236, 
244,  246,  259,  271,  281,  284,  288,  291, 
295,  319,  326,  327,  368;  described, 
21-22 ;  region  healthful,  46 ;  Sherman 
arrives,  56;  few  supplies  in,  69,  70, 
78,  91,  92,  202;  burning  threatened, 
273 ;  majority  favor  Breckenridge, 
304;  conditions  in,  329 

Alexandria  Constitutional:  editorial, 
273 

Alleghany  Mts:  89 

Anderson,  Robert:  315,  316,  319,  327, 
330,  333,  357;  Sherman  commends, 
325;  remains  at  Fort  Sumter,  332; 
should  be  reinforced,  318,  360 

Anderson,  Mrs.  Robert:  appeals  to 
president,  323 


Arizona:  290 

Arkansas:  306;  ready  for  secession, 
308 ;  secession  probable,  380 

Arsenal  (state)  :  created  and  main 
tained  at  seminary,  72,  131,  163, 
168,  169,  173,  176,  188-189,  315;  at 
Baton  Rouge  seized,  325,  335,  336, 
337,  338,  340-341,  343,  347,  353,  360, 
369,  382;  command,  336;  supplies 
scattered,  337 

BAILEY,  DR.  — :  166,  200 

Bailey,  Gen.  — :  240 

Baltimore  (Md.) :  232,  272,  340,  348; 
news  of  panic,  308 

Banks,  Gen.  N.  P:  40,  109,  287,  384 

Barnard,  Major  — :  59 

Bates,  — :  213 

Bayou  Rapides:  14,  56,  57 

Bayou  Robert:  14,  56,  297;  Sherman 
plans  to  visit,  240 

Bayou  Sara:  98 

Baton  Rouge  (La.) :  u,  14,  19,  20, 
37,  40,  42,  45,  47,  48,  52,  55,  5<>,  80, 
81,  99,  107,  118,  131,  158,  166,  179, 
184,  185,  187,  200,  237,  238,  243,  332, 
357,  366,  384;  Sherman  to  arrive, 
43;  Sherman  visits,  167;  Sherman 
visits  on  seminary  business,  168-179; 
arsenal,  369;  arsenal  seized,  325, 
335,  336,  337,  338,  340-341,  343,  347, 
353,  360,  369,  382;  seizure  of  arms, 
335;  convention  of  legislature,  311, 

315 

Beauregard,  Henry  (son  of  succeed 
ing)  :  enters  seminary,  298 ;  to  pre 
pare  for  West  Point,  242,  298 

Beauregard,  P.  G.  T:  15,  26,  98;  ig 
norant  of  Sherman's  application  for 
superintendency,  23  ;  applies  for  ad- 


386 


SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


mission  of  sons,  55 ;  sends  son  to 
seminary,  100;  son  to  prepare  for 
West  Point  242 ;  sends  nephew  to 
seminary,  182 ;  sends  sons,  298 ;  sends 
money  for  son  and  friend,  242 ;  un 
able  to  attend  examinations,  242 ; 
suggests  successor  to  Sherman,  198; 
escapes  West  Point  superintendency, 
242;  Jefferson  Davis  sends  for,  369; 
letters,  100,  182,  198,  242,  298 

Beauregard,  Rene  T.  (son  of  preced 
ing)  :  enters  seminary,  100,  298 ;  as 
sistant  in  French,  298 

Bell,  John  (candidate  for  presiden 
cy) :  258,  260,  304,  377;  chance  of 
election,  261;  Sherman  favors,  280; 
favored  in  South,  271,  286;  favored 
in  Louisiana,  296;  Louisiana  sup 
ports,  288 

Biossat,  Mr.  — :  188 

Blair,  Frank:  381 

Blair,   O.   O:  372 

Blondin,  Mr.  — :  275-276 

Bogan,  —   (cadet) :  209 

Boggs,  Capt.  Wm.  R:  379;  elected 
superintendent  of  seminary,  384 

Boston   (Mass.)  :  260,  348 

Boyce,  Mr.  —  (editor  of  Red  River 
American):  58,  70,  238;  to  publish 
article  for  seminary,  273 

Boyce,  Judge  Henry:  48,  56,  193,  195, 
211,  319 

Boyd,  David  F.  (member  of  first  fac 
ulty)  :  32,  78,  122,  127,  128,  142,  151, 
152,  200,  207,  208,  264,  319,  373; 
elected  member  of  faculty,  25,  26 ; 
describes  Sherman's  election,  26-29; 
characteristics,  101 ;  left  in  charge 
during  vacation,  247,  250;  reports 
to  Sherman,  270-271,  284;  offers  to 
assist  Vallas,  276;  opinion  of  Sher 
man's  views,  287 ;  favors  secession, 
307;  enters  Confederate  service,  384; 
served  throughout  war,  384;  sem 
inary  reopens  under,  384;  letters, 
270,  287 ;  Sherman  invites  to  visit, 
368 


Boyd,  Mrs.  David  F:  n 

Boyd,  Leroy  S:  n 

Boyd,  Thomas  D:  n 

Bragg,  Braxton:  15,  26,  59,  76,  124, 
130,  145,  156,  168,  172,  176,  177,  180, 
2I3>  353  >  ignorant  of  Sherman's  ap 
plication  for  superintendency,  23 ; 
welcomes  Sherman,  52-54;  friend  of 
Sherman,  80;  appointed  commis 
sioner  of  Public  Works,  80-8 1;  in 
terest  in  seminary,  81,  90,  236,  298, 
299-301 ;  favors  military  system, 
169,  218-219;  desires  Sherman  to  re 
main,  175 ;  invited  to  act  as  orator, 
239;  wishes  to  secure  battery  for 
seminary,  243,  274,  300-301 ;  sends 
cartridges,  372;  persuades  Major 
Haskins  to  surrender  arsenal,  336; 
probable  king  of  La.,  339;  Sherman 
regrets  resignation,  351;  prepares 
for  war,  366;  dislikes  Jefferson 
Davis,  369;  colonel  in  state's  ser 
vice,  369;  recommends  successor  to 
Sherman,  379;  letters,  52,  80,  161, 
218,  236,  299,  319,  351 

Bragg,  Mrs.  Braxton:  83,  369 

Brecken ridge,  John  C.  (candidate  for 
presidency)  :  258 ;  South  favors,  245, 
286,  290;  loses  state  vote,  261 ;  South 
Carolina  favors,  272,  288 ;  carries 
Alexandria,  304 

Brown,  John:  43-44,  45,  47 

Buchanan,  James:  241,  316,  318 

Buell,  Major  Don  Carlos:  34,  35,  180, 
X56,  253;  recommends  Sherman,  13; 
notifies  Sherman  of  seminary  posi 
tion,  22-23 ;  letter,  22 

Bullitt,  Cuthbert:  displays  U.  S,  flag, 

370 
Bynum,  Jesse  A:  24,  64 

CADDO  PARISH:  379 

Cadets:  applications,  66,  69,  273;  ap 
pointed  by  supervisors,  79 ;  number 
expected,  73 ;  number  enrolled,  94, 
101,  102,  104,  107,  117,  118,  122,  125, 
129,  141,  143,  159,  213,  296,  301; 


INDEX 


387 


number  desirable,  288 ;  delay  in  en 
tering,  104,  132;  applications,  54; 
requirements,  54-55,  79,  109,  206, 
224,  274,  293,  362;  restrictions,  no, 
226;  grading  system,  231;  classified 
by  Academic  Board,  303 ;  needs  on 
arrival,  249  ;  necessary  personal  sup 
plies,  225,  293 ;  seminary  supplies, 
225  ;  extravagance  prohibited,  68 ; 
general  expenses,  38,  68,  79,  225- 
226,  231,  293;  uniforms,  38,  40,  92, 
120,  193,  203,  220-222,  243 ;  muskets, 
243 ;  characteristics,  102,  107-108, 
131,  140;  complaints,  145,  147; 
trouble  among,  137,  138-140,  140- 
141;  pranks,  145,  150,  151,  220,  221, 
371;  vices,  128-129,  141,  143,  150; 
riot,  310;  insubordinate,  332;  de 
serters,  142 ;  code  of  honor,  220-222 ; 
Sherman  restrains,  343 ;  request 
party,  209-210;  encampment,  71,  72, 
91 ;  welcome  Sherman's  return,  193, 
194;  under  Vallas,  265;  leave  to 
join  army,  379 ;  affected  by  war  ex 
citement,  383  ;  many  enter  Confeder 
ate  service,  384.  State  —  63,  90,  171- 
172;  number  enrolled,  131,  132,  168; 
opposition  to,  172 ;  appointments, 
203,  206,  241,  243 ;  number  by  law, 
224;  method  of  admission,  362;  ad 
ditional  appropriation,  81;  cost  of 
educating,  102 ;  Louisiana  should 
pay  for,  105 ;  misconceptions  con 
cerning,  98.  See  Examinations; 
Louisiana  State  University;  Regu 
lations 

Calhoun,  Patrick:  297 

California:  13,  16,  17,  23,  76,  77,  154, 
178,  210,  258,  307,  330,  331,  333, 
367,  383 ;  compared  commercially 
with  Louisiana,  202.  City  —  San 
Francisco,  164,  178,  367 

Campbell,  —  (cadet)  :  220,  221 ;  ex 
pelled,  222 

Cannon,  Col.  Fenelon:  24 

Carson,  Dr.  — :  187,  189 

Cass,  Lewis:  316 


Catholic  Church:  in  Alexandria,  22; 
Mrs.  Sherman  in  Georgetown  con 
vent,  36;  Sherman's  daughters  at 
tend  school,  376 

Chambers,  Col.  — :  130,  178,  240 

Charleston  (S.  Car.)  :  58,  212,  272, 
315,  360;  political  conditions  in, 
318-319;  compared  with  New  Or 
leans,  333 

Chicago:  37,  213,  358 

Cincinnati:  55,  153,  160,  161,  164,  187, 
189,  191,  255,  259,  276,  291,  347,  358, 
376;  regulations  printed,  248,  256, 
262,  275,  277 ;  to  secure  helpers,  279 ; 
Sherman  visits,  281 ;  commercial 
center,  281 ;  Prince  of  Wales  visits, 
289 

Civil  War:  13,  15,  85,  105,  308,  315, 
330;  as  result  of  secession,  77,  89, 
XI9>  3°5>  3I2J  result  of  abolition 
movement,  78;  approaching,  212; 
possible  result,  233;  expected,  301; 
need  of  avoiding,  373-374;  precipi 
tated,  343-344;  certain,  295,  320, 
332;  inevitable,  350,  357,  358,  382; 
real  issues,  383 ;  preparations  for, 
274,  320,  378-379,  382;  result  in 
monarchy,  280;  probable  results, 
331;  Sherman  not  anxious  to  share 
in,  339,  348 

Clark,  John  B:  117  and  footnote,  118, 

121 

Clarke  [Clark],  Dr.  Powhatan  (mem 
ber  of  the  first  faculty)  :  156,  207, 
209,  282,  297,  319,  373,  376;  por 
trait,  27 ;  elected  assistant  in  chem 
istry,  295  and  footnote ;  goes  to 
races,  207-208  ;  temporary  treasurer, 
371;  willing  to  follow  South,  307; 
enters  Confederate  service,  384; 
serves  throughout  war,  384 

Colonization:  North  makes  Kansas 
non-slave  state,  174 

Combs,  Leslie:  280 

Cornelius,  —  (cadet)  :  238 

Craig,  Col.  — :  219,   243,  323 

Cuba:  220,  223 


388 


SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


Curriculum:  100,  108,  109-110,  120, 
126,  274-275;  plan,  57;  no  extras, 
68;  military,  71-72;  not  definite, 
197;  Graham  outlines,  217-218; 
Sherman  believes  too  severe,  324 

Cushman,  —  (cadet)  :  144,  238;  char 
acteristics,  146 

DAVIS,  MR.  — :  214 

Davis,  Jefferson:  232;  sends  for  Beau- 
regard,  369 

Delahoussaye,  Mme.  — :  203 

Democrats:  threaten  to  split  party, 
232 ;  defeat  admission  of  Kansas, 
244;  division  secures  Republicans, 
280;  question  of  leader,  290;  party 
split  secures  Lincoln,  290 

Disciplinary  methods:  128,  143-144, 
159,  225;  expulsion,  137,  138,  220, 
222,  310;  suspension  from  duties, 
J39>  Pay  for  prank,  145,  150;  ap 
proved,  162;  objections  to  terms 
"Dismissed,"  "Deserted,"  243,  246; 
Bragg's  opinion,  236;  referred  to 
Academic  Board,  283 

Doniphan,  A.  W:  301 

Douglas,  Stephen  A.  (candidate  for 
presidency) :  232,  245,  258,  260,  304; 
chance  of  election,  261;  North  fa 
vors,  286,  290;  many  supporters  in 
South,  272 

ECONOMIC  CONDITIONS:  wealth  of 
planters,  60;  among  planters,  80; 
south  needs  science,  82;  cost  of  la 
bor,  73;  results  of  slave  labor,  242; 
panic  general,  308;  commerce,  350; 
tariff,  366;  probable  results  of  se 
cession,  358.  A gri culture— in  Louis 
iana,  141,  201,  202,  223,  273  ;  soil 
fertile,  180;  backward,  213;  slaves 
required,  179 ;  cold  destroys  orange 
crop,  86 ;  harvest  abundant  in 
North,  261,  282;  North  and  South 
contrasted,  254,  255-256,  258,  261. 
In  various  localities —  in  and  near 
Alexandria,  60,  63,  141 ;  in  Louis 
iana,  119,  131,  151,  169,  179,  288, 


302;  in  New  Orleans,  310;  in  North, 
289,  348;  in  St.  Louis,  380;  in 
Washington,  260.  See  Faculty:  sal 
ary;  Louisiana  State  University:  eco 
nomic  conditions 

Educational  Conditions:  in  Louisiana, 
16,  63,  133,  134,  170-171,  324;  pub 
lic  schools,  16;  plans  for  university, 
19;  power  of  committee  on  educa 
tion,  169 

Elgee,  Capt.  — :  123,  349 

England:  164,  170,  348,  350;  see  Lon 
don 

Europe:  36 

Everett,  Edward:  296 

Ewing,  Mrs.  — :  255,  257 

Ewing,  P.  B:  255 

Ewing  Jr.,  Thomas  (Sherman's 
brother-in-law)  :  44,  179 

Ewing  Sr.,  Thomas  (Sherman's 
father-in-law) :  62,  98,  191,  192,  255, 
257 ;  recommends  London  position, 
153,  154;  favors  Lincoln,  232,  233 

Examinations:  public,  235,  239,  247; 
advertised,  236;  Bragg  unable  to 
attend,  238;  Bragg  invited  to  give 
oration,  239;  preparations  for,  240; 
Beauregard  unable  to  attend,  242; 
Graham  to  attend,  245 ;  successful, 
299 

FACULTY:  127;  advertisement  for,  19- 
20 ;  many  applications  received,  23 ; 
elected,  25-26;  portraits,  27;  Sher 
man  notifies  to  be  on  hand  early, 
69 ;  opposition  to  northern  teachers, 
76 ;  account  of,  32 ;  efficiency,  66 ; 
satisfactory,  131;  commended,  134; 
oppose  full  authority  vested  in  su 
perintendent,  204,  205  ;  relations  with 
superintendent,  216;  object  to  uni 
forms,  267-268  ;  trouble,  371 ;  resolu 
tions,  204-205 ;  submit  resolutions  to 
Sherman,  375.  Salaries  —  19,  20,  51, 
69,  99,  102,  132-133;  appropriation 
for,  86;  need  appropriation,  106 ; 
see  Sherman:  salary.  Residential  ac- 
commodations  —  lack,  30-31,  51;  ap- 


INDEX 


389 


propriation  for,  61,  63,  73,  86,  126, 
127,  161,  168,  170,  172,  176,  193, 
194;  houses  to  be  built,  188,  201; 
Sherman  plans,  189;  Sherman  se 
lects  plans,  208,  209 ;  Vallas's  house 
to  be  finished  first,  282,  286;  Sher 
man's  house,  313;  house  completed, 
322.  See  Boyd;  Clarke;  St.  Ange; 
Sherman;  Smith;  V alias 

Fellows,  Mrs.  — 148,  123 

Florida:  367;  ready  for  secession,  306. 
City  —  Pensacola 

Flower,  Mrs.  — :  200 

Floyd,  Mr.  —  (carpenter) :  131,  270, 
282 

Floyd,  John  B.  (secretary  of  war) : 
254,  323 ;  resigns,  327 

Ford,  Mr.  — :  desires  to  make  mat 
tresses,  70-71 ;  slow  in  delivering,  99 

Fort  Jackson:  340,  369 

Fort  Moultrie:  316,  318 

Fort  Pike:  340 

Fort  St.  Philip:  340,  369 

Fort  Sumter:  318,  327,  332,  357 

Fort  Wood:  340 

France:  26,  32 

GEORGETOWN,  D.  C:  36 

Georgia:  25,  67;  ready  for  secession, 
306,  307,  308 ;  Louisiana  will  follow, 
312.  City  —  Savannah,  180 

Gibson,  Gen.  — :  156,  191 

Giddings,  Joshua  R:  45,  281 

Gilham,  Major  — :  35 

Gilmore,  Mr.  — :  59 

Gladney,  Mr.  — :  79 

Goode,  F.  S:  81,  172,  219 

Goodwyn,  Ichabod:  25,  123 

Graham,  Gen.  G.  Mason:  14,  15,  17, 
23,  24,  47,  51,  57,  60,  76,  84,  86,  90, 
95,  98,  159,  164,  180,  213,  235,  277; 
recommends  Sherman,  13,  23-24,  29- 
30;  characteristics,  48,  53,  56;  con 
servative,  338;  interest  in  seminary, 
16,  34-37,  48,  152,  162,  238,  384; 
desires  military  man  at  head,  23 ; 
favors  military  system,  62,  70,  73, 
133,  216,  269-270;  disapproval  of 


Manning's  attitude,  266-268,  270; 
makes  seminary  gift  of  cartridges, 
317;  commends  government  of  semi 
nary,  148-150;  outlines  curriculum, 
217-218 ;  desires  to  retain  Sherman, 
155-158,  165,  181 ;  Sherman  to  con 
fer  with,  320;  outlines  difficulties 
in  Board,  64-65 ;  reports  disorderly 
students,  128-129;  invites  faculty 
members  to  races,  207-208 ;  mistaken 
regarding  number  admitted  to 
seminary,  273 ;  gives  full  report, 
324;  wants  Bragg  appointed  super 
visor,  219;  resigns  vice-presidency 
of  seminary,  264,  265,  283,  310;  cir 
culates  John  Sherman's  letter,  117, 
118;  advises  Sherman  to  vote,  303; 
views  on  secession,  326 ;  views  on 
local  conditions^  360-361 ;  approves 
Sherman's  resignation,  327;  favors 
settling  Sherman's  salary,  354-357, 
361;  editorial,  20-22,  23-24;  memo 
randum,  266-270;  letters,  29,  34,  64, 
122,  133,  148,  155,  165,  215,  303,  326, 
346,  360 

Gray,  Henry  (supervisor)  :  64^ 

Greeley,  Horace:  25 

Grivot,  Gen.  — :  323;  promises  arms, 
215;  promises  to  secure  battery,  243 

HALSEY,  MR.  — :  123 

Haskins,  Major  — :  335;  surrenders 
arsenal,  336 

Hebert,  Mr.  — :  76 

Helper,  Hinton  R:  Impending  Crisis, 
75,  78,  103,  117,  174 

Henarie,  S.  W.  (supervisor)  :  24,  59, 
70,  95,  104,  185,  194;  favors  Sher 
man's  election,  29;  charge  of  semi 
nary  funds,  198 

Herget,  Albert  M:  n 

Hillan,  — •  (cadet):  220,  222;  wishes 
to  return,  246 

Hungary:  University  of  Pesth,  25,  32 

Hunt,  Randall:  171,  374 

Hyams,  —  (attorney- gen.)  :  177,  178 

Hynson,  Joe:  361 

Hynson,  R.  C:  65 


390 


SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


ILLINOIS  CENTRAL  RAILROAD:  37 

Indiana:  Indianapolis,  191 

Industrial  Conditions:  see  Labor  and 

Industrial  Conditions 
Irwin,  — •   (cadet)  :  186 
Isaacs,  Mrs.  — :  195 
Isaacs,  A^  I:  33 

JACKSON,  GEN.  T.  J.  [Stonewall] :  327 
James,  Mr.  —  (contractor)  :  56,  57,  70 
Jarreau,    Mr.    —    (steward    at    semi 
nary)  :  14,   61,   70,   72,  75,  90,   122, 
132,    152,   166,   294,    319,    345,   373; 
unready    for   opening,    92;    ill,   97; 
refuses   to   board    Sherman    family, 
188;  paid  in  checks,  245;  inefficient, 
279,  284;  causes  dissatisfaction,  299 
Jones,  Theo:  n 

KANSAS:  77,  88,  90,  212,  286,  344,  367; 
slavery,  174;  question  of  admission, 
175;  admission  defeated,  244.  City — 
Leavenworth,  17,  22,  31,  33,  37,  153 

Keary,  P.  F:  24 

Kelso,  John:  379 

Kennet  and  Company:  284 

Kentucky:  25,  67,  280,  344,  357;  no 
sympathy  with  S.  Car.,  280;  slavery 
weak  in,  306;  plans  to  secede,  352; 
secession  probable,  380.  Cities  — 
Cairo,  255;  Columbus,  191;  Frank 
fort,  37;  Louisville,  55,  194,  358 

Kentucky  Military  Institute:  37,  38 

Key  West:  340,  357 

Kilburn,  Col.  C.  L:  53,  75;  faithful 
to  Union,  370 

Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle:  297 

LABARRE,  CLEMENT:  299 

Labor  and  Industrial  Conditions:  ne 
groes  lazy,  51-52;  at  seminary,  200; 
work  at  seminary,  258,  270-271; 
workmen  lazy,  60;  mechanics 
needed,  75,  179;  carpenters,  98; 
tailor  employed,  186;  Sugar  manu 
facturing,  53.  Servants— 186; 
needed,  92 ;  scarcity,  201,  223 ;  in 


efficient,  94,  97,  117,  125;  at  semi 
nary,  250;  of  Vallas,  60-6 1 ;  diffi 
culty  of  retaining  white,  124-125; 
see  Slavery 

Lake  Borgne:  333,  340 

Lake  Pontchartrain:  332,  333,  footnote, 

335,  340 

Lancaster  (Ohio)  :  40,  93,  185,  187, 
192,  193,  195,  215,  247,  251,  259, 
261,  314,  326,  371;  Sherman's  fam 
ily  remains,  55;  Sherman  visits,  253, 
365;  plans  visit,  347;  moves  from, 
376 

Lane,  Joe:  281 

Lay,  Col.  George  W:  elected  successor 
to  Sherman,  384;  resigns,  379 

Ledoux,  Mr.  — :  214,  271 

Lee,  Robert  £^84 

Lefevre,  Mme.  — :  366 

Lincoln,  Abraham:  369,  377;  nomi 
nated,  232 ;  stand  not  definite,  261 ; 
South  opposes,  245,  272,  338;  no 
ticket  in  Louisiana,  304;  Republi 
cans  forced  to  accept,  259 ;  Ohio 
favors,  258;  North  favors,  286; 
election  expected,  260,  280,  293 ; 
benefited  by  Democratic  split,  290; 
elected,  295,  296,  305;  election  por 
tends  secession,  296 ;  to  favor  John 
Sherman,  289;  inauguration  may  be 
prevented,  332;  inauguration,  350; 
secession  result  of  election,  304; 
radical,  232;  moderate  in  senti 
ments,  233;  regarded  as  Black  Re 
publican,  316;  organizes  on  party 
principles,  376;  no  trouble  under, 
280;  helpless  to  avoid  trouble,  366; 
policy,  375;  should  have  secured 
border  states,  380;  course  necessary, 
381-382;  awaits  act  of  Congress, 
382;  Sherman  thought  friendly  to, 
304;  call  for  volunteers,  365;  see 
Political  Conditions 

Lindsey,  Capt.  — :  195 

Linfield,  Rev.  W.  E.  M:  384 

Liverpool    (Eng.)  :   158 

London  (Eng.)  :  85,  153,  164,  175,  193, 


INDEX 


39i 


259 ;  Sherman  decides  to  accept  po 
sition ;  decides  against,  192;  induce 
ments  to  decline  offer,  357 

Lovell,  Mansfield:  198  and  footnote 

Louisiana:  n,  13,  15,  32,  164,  173,  190, 
193,  257,  331,  347,  367,  382;  im 
portant  location,  89 ;  economic  con 
ditions,  119,  131,  141-142,  308; 
agriculture,  202,  213,  223 ;  com 
pared  with  Ohio,  195,  223 ;  com 
pared  with  California,  202;  not 
so  radical  as  other  states,  118; 
slavery  conditions,  177-178 ;  politi 
cal  conditions,  174,  295  ;  favors  Bell, 
288;  favors  Bell  and  Everett,  296; 
peace  expected,  338;  people  suspi 
cious  of  Sherman's  views,  176;  pre 
paring  for  war,  274;  forts  seized, 
340 ;  commits  acts  of  war,  341 ;  hos 
tile  acts,  344;  Sherman  will  not 
serve  in,  312;  free  state,  370;  must 
go  with  Mississippi  Valley,  377.  Se- 
cession  —  340,  351-352;  does  not  fa 
vor,  175,  302,  307 ;  war  would  re 
sult,  306 ;  favors  secession,  307,  309- 
310,  311;  certain,  325,  326,  333,  335; 
expects  peaceful,  358;  forced,  308; 
plans,  315;  Sherman  resigns  follow 
ing,  325,  342.  Towns  and  Vil 
lages  —  Monroe,  107 ;  Mount  Leb 
anon,  68,  78,  79;  Pineville,  21,  22, 
84,  244,  258,  288;  Plaquemines,  299; 
Natchitoches,  258,  288 ;  Shreveport, 
101 ;  see  Baton  Rouge,  New  Or 
leans 

Louisiana  Democrat:  47,  293;  edi 
torial,  23-24,  24-26,  54,  66-68,  107; 
advocates  secession,  326 

Louisiana  State  Seminary:  see  Louis 
iana  State  University 

Louisiana  State  University  [Louis 
iana  State  Seminary,  Louisiana 
State  Seminary  of  Learning  and 
Military  Academy,  Louisiana  Mili 
tary  Academy,  State  Seminary  of 
Learning]:  n,  13;  name  adopted, 
57;  proposed  name,  131,  135;  name 


changed,  165,  171,  179;  opening  and 
preparations  for,  14,  54,  64,  84,  90, 
93-94,  97,  loo-ioi ;  preparations  for 
second  session,  282,  295 ;  reopened, 
384;  organization,  Capt.  McClel- 
lan's  advice,  40-42  ;  organized  under 
new  law,  197;  building  and  sur 
roundings,  21,  48-51,  56,  60,  61,  62, 
63,  86,  87,  105,  132;  ground  plan 
(text  cut),  31 ;  locality  healthful,  68, 
164,  223;  furnishings,  14,  36,  258; 
general  plan  and  organization,  14, 
21-22,  35-36;  modeled  after  Vir 
ginia  Military  Institute,  58,  65,  97; 
general  conditions,  167;  outlook 
satisfactory,  213;  plan  of  manage 
ment,  62-63  I  trials  in  management, 
166;  life  at,  126;  working  plan,  67- 
68 ;  regular  routine  of  work,  296- 
297;  purpose,  81-82;  highly  recom 
mended,  65;  circular,  57,  206,  224- 
232;  advertised  by  students,  130; 
encourage  visitors,  99 ;  success  de 
pendent,  181,  278;  improvements, 
189-190,  200,  240,  250-251,  322;  li 
brary  foundation,  254,  271;  re 
ligious  services  not  compulsory,  231 ; 
declamations,  210;  celebrates 
Fourth,  238,  239-240;  closing  exer 
cises,  253 ;  semi-centennial  anni 
versary,  384;  vacations,  72,  73; 
general  conditions  preceding  war, 
379;  Sherman's  resignation  and 
preparations  for  leaving,  182-185, 
335,  34i-343>  349.  35°.  362,  364; 
abandoned,  379;  Sherman's  suc 
cessors,  367,  384;  Sherman  visits, 
384;  see  Cadets,  Curriculum,  Dis 
ciplinary  methods,  Examinations, 
Faculty,  Sherman,  Supervisors 

ECONOMIC  CONDITIONS:  food  — 
causes  dissatisfaction,  152,  246-247; 
Sherman  not  responsible,  279.  Fi 
nancial  condition  —  51,  86,  90,  98,  99, 
102,  171,  214;  cash  basis,  104,  202, 
245 ;  short  of  funds,  73 ;  close  of 
first  quarter,  194;  student  fees,  231; 


392 


SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


cash  balance,  250;  good,  345;  en 
trusted  to  Sherman,  106 ;  Sherman 
wishes  to  control,  203-204,  209; 
Sherman  leaves  in  order,  185,  246, 
322;  see  Faculty:  salary.  Cost-ot 
books,  91 ;  fencing,  121 ;  purely 
classical  course,  162;  supplies,  38, 
74,  225 ;  printing  regulations,  246 ; 
military  equipment,  346 ;  expenses 
per  cadet,  225-226.  Appropriation  — 
for  seminary,  62,  127,  131,  166,  167, 
168,  170,  180,  240;  for  apparatus, 
172;  bill,  173,  176,  188;  ammuni 
tion,  317.  Supplies  -74,  75,  90,  92- 
93,  97,  99,  261;  purchased,  78,  254; 
in  New  Orleans,  51,  91;  in  advance, 
248,  249,  263;  shipped,  275,  278, 
288 ;  ready,  294 

MILITARY  INTERESTS:  in  general  — 
Central  arsenal  established,  323, 
339>  344 >  arsenal  supplies  needed, 
131;  military  equipment  desirable, 
253;  secured,  260,  264,  274,  346; 
battery,  243,  274;  cartridges,  328, 
372,  360;  from  Baton  Rouge  arse 
nal*  337,  347,  3495  owns  building 
of  former  arsenal,  341,  footnote. 
Military  system  —  not  to  interfere 
with  academic  work,  67,  108 ;  when 
possible,  71;  cause  of  adoption,  89; 
attempt  to  make  strictly  military, 
J33>  X35>  minimized,  197;  weak 
ened,  213,  268;  favored,  65,  67,  73, 
80,  82,  91,  99,  132,  133,  134-135,  162, 
216,  218,  218-219,  226,  269;  opposed, 
64-65,  132,  146,  147,  204,  205,  266, 
268,  283 ;  see  Military  Schools 
Lucas,  Mr.  — :  154 

MCCLELLAN,  CAPT.  GEO.  B:  15,  37, 
381 ;  advises  concerning  organiza 
tion,  40-42 

McCook,  Mr.  — :  212 

McCoy,  Mr.  — :  60 

McLean,  Mr.  — :  213 

McNight,  Mr.  — :   188 

McNutts,  Mr.  — :  328 

Madison  Democrat:  editorial,  65-66 


Madison  Parish:  65 

Magruder,  Dr.  Lewis:  64-65 

Maine:  25,  330 

Manning,  T.  C.  (member  of  Board 
of  Supervisors)  :  24,  35,  36,  59,  65, 
68,  92,  99,  123,  165,  193,  249,  264, 
288,  328 ;  opposed  to  military  sys 
tem,  205,  260;  goes  over  regulations, 
247;  sends  regulations,  262;  retains 
regulations,  267;  commends  Sher 
man,  265;  dislikes  Sherman,  266; 
autocratic,  266-268 ;  joins  company, 

379 
Marcy,    Capt.   — :   Prairie    Traveller, 

4i 

Maryland:  slavery  weak  in,  306;  see 
Baltimore 

Mason,  Gen.  R.  B:  13,  16-17,  23,  24 

Massachusetts:  Springfield,  244 

Maynadier,  Capt.  — :  286 

Mexican  War:  16,  281 

Mexico:  77,  119,  241,  335;  political 
troubles,  44.  City  —  Sonora,  180 

Military  Schools:  108,  119,  226;  de 
sirable  model  for  institute,  37;  point 
of  difference  from  ordinary  college, 
67;  desirable,  66,  67;  favored  by 
part  of  Board,  73;  deficient,  82; 
reasons  for,  in  South,  89 ;  favored 
by  people,  133-134;  desire  to  change 
seminary  to,  169;  little  attention  to 
classical  studies,  274;  at  Nashville, 
140;  see  Louisiana  State  Univer 
sity:  Military  Interests,  Virginia 
Military  Institute,  West  Point 

Miller,  Joe:  371,  383 

Mills,  Mr.  —  (workman)  :  208,  209, 
270,  282,  292 

Minnesota:  St.  Paul,  42 

Mississippi:  67,  327,  337;  radical,  118; 
war  would  result  from  secession, 
306 ;  ready  for  secession,  307,  308 ; 
Louisiana  will  follow  lead,  312; 
determined  on  secession,  319. 
Cities  —  Canton,  191;  Jackson,  297 

Mississippi  River:  48,  119,  258,  275, 
33J-332>  335J  must  be  under  one 
government,  89,  105,  315,  377,  383; 


INDEX 


393 


North  must  control,  297 ;  influence 
on  politics  and  commerce,  312,  340; 
forts  near  mouth  seized,  340;  to  be 
theatre  of  war,  315,  382 

Missouri:  67,  117,  footnote^  301,  344, 
357,  360;  slavery  weak  in,  306; 
plans  to  secede,  352;  political  con 
dition,  380;  may  remain  neutral, 
380;  retained  in  union,  382 

Missouri  Compromise:  repeal,  281, 
286 

Missouri  Republican:  opposes  seces 
sion,  333 

Missouri  River:  43 

Moise,  Mr.  — :  170 

Moore,  Thomas  O.  (gov.  of  La.)  :  14, 
15,  48,  56,  86,  99,  131,  153,  161, 
165,  170,  175,  177,  181,  185,  187, 
189,  192,  193,  197,  207,  237,  243, 
244,  249,  297,  317,  323,  326,  333; 
338,  344,  347,  35°,  359;  Sherman 
spends  night  with,  56;  presence  de 
sirable  at  seminary  opening,  59; 
favors  liberal  appropriation,  61 ;  de 
sires  to  retain  Sherman,  181 ;  re 
joiced  at  retaining  Sherman,  197; 
appoints  supervisors  unwisely,  205 ; 
promises  arms  for  seminary,  215; 
approves  of  Smith's  plan,  218; 
Sherman  plans  to  visit,  240;  sends 
cake  and  wine  to  seminary,  240; 
authorizes  Sherman  to  act,  254;  fa 
vors  battery  for  seminary,  300;  con 
venes  legislature,  309,  315;  intent 
on  politics,  310;  orders  seizure  of 
forts  and  arsenal,  335,  338,  340,  341, 
343,  349  >  orders  Sherman  to  receive 
arms,  337;  letters,  181,  197,  350 

Morgan,  Col.  —  (head  of  Ky.  Mil. 
Inst.)  :  37 

Myers,  Col.  A.  C:  369 

NAPOLEON,  Louis:  260 

National  Intelligencer:  318;  adver 
tisement,  19-20;  editorial,  20-22; 
opposes  secession,  333 

New  England:  330 

New   Hampshire:  25 


New  Jersey:  281 

New  Mexico:  290 

New  Orleans  (La.)  :  14,  22,  31,  32,  52, 
58,  59,  60,  62,  64,  70,  78,  84,  101, 
117,  149,  153,  154,  161,  164,  168, 
173,  185,  187,  188,  189,  194,  198, 
202,  215,  220,  223,  246,  247,  248, 
258,  267,  276,  284,  285,  291,  292, 
317,  349,  358,  362,  364,  365,  368, 
381;  supplies  from,  69,  239;  'Sher 
man  to  secure  supplies,  63,  74;  diffi 
culty  in  securing  supplies,  202,  248 ; 
supplies  shipped  to,  275,  278 ;  com 
mercial  center,  60,  92-93 ;  Sherman 
visits,  75-76,  90,  294,  335,  353;  to 
secure  helpers  in,  279 ;  political  dis 
turbance,  305;  business  dead,  310; 
result  of  secession  on  trade,  340; 
compared  with  Charleston,  333; 
ready  for  secession,  311;  forts  for 
protection,  340;  news  from,  305,  307, 
332;  Military  Board  meets,  320; 
plans  free  port,  348,  350 

New  Orleans  Delta:  318 

New  York  (state)  :  293,  304 

New  York  City:  n,  17,  74,  76,  99, 
101,  153,  164,  247,  340,  344,  345, 
348 ;  text  books  ordered  from,  62, 
69 ;  commercial  advantages,  92-93 ; 
uniforms  ordered  from,  185;  order 
sent  direct,  202 ;  Sherman  gives  up 
going,  249 ;  Sherman  visits  for  sup 
plies,  256,  257;  supplies  purchased, 
264;  news  of  panic,  308;  Wall  St., 

367 

Noble,  Mr.  — :  107 
North  Carolina:  64,  67 

OHIO:  45,  64,  73,  76,  77,  85,  124,  177, 
179,  264,  271,  291,  304,  331,  337, 
338,  367,  383;  Sherman  native  of, 
16;  Sherman  sympathizes  with,  89; 
southern  sentiment  against,  175 ; 
Sherman  plans  visit  to,  180,  183- 
184,  185;  journey  to,  187;  compared 
with  Louisiana,  195,  223 ;  agricul 
ture,  harvest  abundant,  255,  258 ; 
Republican,  263,  280-281;  abolition 


394 


SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


state,  314;  steal  niggers,  310;  Sher 
man  can  not  go  against,  312;  lacks 
opening  for  Sherman,  307,  359; 
Sherman  plans  to  retire  to,  339; 
McClellan  in  command  of  militia, 
381.  Cities  —  Columbus,  55;  Mans 
field,  281;  see  Cincinnati,  Lancaster 

Ohio  River:  306 

Oliver  Twist:  164 

Ord,  Capt.  — :  285 

PARIS   (France) :  158 

Patterson,  Ann:  195,  200 

Pennsylvania:  281,  293,  304.  City — 
Pittsburg,  358;  see  Philadelphia 

Perkins,  Fred    (cadet)  :  219,  299,  300 

Philadelphia:  348;  John  Sherman 
makes  speech,  280 

Pierce,  Franklin:  241 

Political  Conditions:  110-117;  politi 
cal  influence  necessary  for  advance 
ment,  22 ;  causes  Sherman  uneasi 
ness,  98,  157,  279-280;  disturbing, 
119,  152,  212,  296;  prospect  of  se 
cession,  307,  308-309 ;  aggravated 
by  politicians  and  editors,  123-124, 
323>  358,  360;  politicians  unable  to 
control,  241 ;  politicians  intent  on 
secession,  311;  southern  misconcep 
tions,  92-93,  314;  misconceptions 
between  North  and  South,  103,  120- 
121,  279-280,  286,  291,  310,  312; 
presidential  election,  232-233,  244- 
245,  261,  304-305 ;  Sherman  advised 
to  vote,  304;  Sherman's  views  on, 
329>  33° I  i°  North,  254,  275,  279- 
281,  289-290;  power  with  North, 
213 ;  in  South,  85,  271-272,  343-344, 
346;  at  Charleston,  318-319;  in 
Louisiana,  80-81,  163,  295,  311,  338; 
in  Missouri,  380;  in  New  Orleans, 
366;  in  New  York,  260;  in  Ohio, 
258-259;  in  Washington,  260;  see 
Abolition  movement,  Lincoln,  Seces 
sion,  Slavery 

Poussin,  Mr.  — :  188,  271 

Preston  family:  Lincoln  connected 
with,  280 


Proctor,  James  (cadet)  :  242,  299 
Proctor,  Stephen  R:  182 

RANSDELL,  MR.  — :  240 

Rapides  Bayou:  318 

Rapides  Parish:  16,  19,  55,  56,  176, 
178,  200,  296 

Red  River:  14,  16,  21,  45,  47,  56,  63, 
64,  84,  192,  194,  202,  255,  256,  263, 
265,  275,  288,  292,  293,  316;  un- 
navigable,  257-258,  278,  281,  291 

Red  River  American:  238;  advertise 
ment,  235-236 

Red  River  Valley:  384 

Reggio,  Charles   (cadet)  :  299 

Regulations  (for  La.  State  Univ.)  :  79, 
91,  108,  109-110;  students  to  con 
form  to,  224-225;  ready,  239,  293; 
reasons  for  not  printing,  97,  149 ; 
Sherman  quotes,  137;  to  be  printed, 
246 ;  cost  of  printing,  246,  282 ; 
printed  in  Cincinnati,  256,  262,  275, 
277 ;  Manning  goes  over,  247 ;  ig 
norant  of,  267;  in  Manning's  pos 
session,  267 ;  to  submit  to  committee, 
166;  to  be  approved  by  supervisors, 
199;  amended,  262,  264,  265;  given 
fair  trial,  324;  inconsistent,  328 

Reid,  W.  I.  N:  100,  242 

Religious  conditions:  churches  in  Alex 
andria,  22;  interferes  with  educa 
tion,  63 ;  cadets  encouraged  to  at 
tend  church,  150,  231;  reported  op 
position  to,  244 

Republicans:  377;  old  Whig  Party, 
281;  John  Sherman,  39;  South  fears 
election,  212,  213 ;  forced  to  reject 
Seward,  259;  Seward,  leader,  287; 
carry  Ohio,  263 ;  party  use  ques 
tioned,  272 ;  John  Sherman's  speech, 
280;  no  interference  with  slavery, 
286;  party  differences,  290;  deter 
mined  on  abolition,  305 ;  and  abo 
litionists  identical,  232,  333.  Black  — 
25  ;  hated  in  South,  174,  245  ;  beaten, 

377 

Richmond  (Va.)  :  232 
Ricketts,  Capt.  — :  45 


INDEX 


395 


Ringgold,  —   (cadet):  220,  221;   ex 
pelled,  222 
Rives,  Wm.  C:  377 
Robertson,  Mr.  — :  70,  189,  204,  214, 

249,  379 

Robertson  and  Company:  98 
Rocky  Bayou:  214 
Roelofson,  Mr,  — :  105,  153,  155,  156, 

157,  158,  170,  173,  189,  259;  arrival, 

158,  160,  164,  165;  Sherman  antici 
pates  offer,  85 ;  plans  to  make  Sher 
man  offer,  102;  expected,  159;  gone 
to  Europe,  191 

Rupell,  Mr.  — :  158 
Ryan,  Michael    (member  of  Board  of 
Supervisors)  :  24,  59,  65 

ST.  ANGE,  E.  BERTE:  32,  57,  69,  74, 
99,  127,  128,  130,  139,  151,  152,  207, 
210,  245,  271,  319,  366,  371,  376, 
384;  elected  member  of  faculty,  25, 
26 ;  goes  to  races,  207-208 ;  loses  in 
horse  deal,  211;  wishes  no  assist 
ance,  277 ;  objects  to  cadet  classifi 
cation,  303  ;  indifferent  to  secession 
movement,  307 

St.  Louis  (Mo.)  :  37,  38,  42,  56,  200, 
223,  316,  336,  337,  358,  371,  foot 
note,  373,  383;  probable  results  of 
war,  331;  Sherman  urged  to  go  to, 
359;  plans  to  visit,  364;  visits,  365; 
moves  family  to>  365 ;  Sherman  lo 
cates,  378  ;  loses  commerce,  380 

Sampson,  Henry:  178 

Sanderson,  Mr.  — :  303 

Sanford,  W.  L.  (member  of  Board  of 
Supervisors)  :  24,  64,  361 

Scott,  Gen.  Winfield:  26,  333,  340; 
favors  Sherman's  return  to  army, 

33i 

Scroggs,  William  O:  n 

Sears,  Prof:  52 

Seay,  Wm.  A:  384 

Secession:  295;  South  should  avoid, 
105;  South  sure  of,  119;  common 
topic,  232 ;  states  ready  for,  306, 
307;  favor  immediate,  315;  South 
believe  in  right,  373 ;  South  Caro 


lina  determined  on,  319;  Louisiana 
ready  for,  309-310;  certain  in  Louis 
iana,  326,  335,  342;  Louisiana  se 
cedes,  351,  352;  Virginia's  influence, 
380;  Sherman's  views  on,  77,  85-86, 
89,  212-213,  306-308,  330,  Brecken- 
ridge  favors,  261;  general,  342; 
hinted,  44;  threatening,  103,  212; 
expected,  301;  no  belief  in,  260; 
little  danger  of,  272 ;  pending,  275, 
287;  plans  for,  308-309;  successful, 
370;  imminent,  308;  certain,  295, 
297,  3",  314,  3i6,  319-320,  325,  333; 
inevitable,  312;  result  of  abolition 
movement,  302 ;  result  of  Lincoln's 
election,  304;  Civil  War  result,  304; 
will  not  aid  South,  306 ;  general  re 
sult,  306;  political  and  commercial 
results,  340;  revenue  important 
question,  358;  utterly  wrong,  330; 
talk  general,  366 

Sevier,  Dr.  John  W:  99,  128;  signs 
dismissal  of  cadet,  139 

Seward,  F.  W:  213,  232,  281;  speech, 
260-261 ;  abolitionist,  287 ;  Republi 
can  leader,  287;  appointment,  332 

Sherman,  John:  47,  102,  105,  118,  154, 
365,  377J  characteristics,  103-104; 
brother  advises  political  moderation, 
40 ;  not  abolitionist,  103,  177 ;  views 
on  slavery,  77,  211-212;  strong  in 
views,  281;  becomes  radical,  259; 
opposed  by  South,  75,  85,  88,  173 ; 
candidate  for  speaker,  176;  election 
as  speaker,  78,  87;  defeated,  159, 
174-175 ;  indorses  Helper's  Impend 
ing  Crisis,  75,  76,  78,  87,  103,  117, 
118;  speech,  211,  263,  280,  282,  287, 
289-290;  Boyd's  opinions  of  views, 
287;  advises  brother  to  resign,  312- 

313,  331;    takes    bold    stand,    360; 
letters,  312,  331 

Sherman,  Lizzie  (daughter  of  Wm.  T. 

Sherman)  :  126,  313,  337 
Sherman,  Minnie  (oldest  daughter  of 

Wm.  T.  Sherman)  :  52,  84,  126,  313, 

314,  367,  372 

Sherman,  Philemon  Tecumseh:  n,  15 


SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


Sherman,  Tom  (son  of  Gen.  Sher 
man)  :  126,  313,  367 

Sherman,  William  Tecumseh:  15,  16, 
57,  238;  member  of  law  firm,  22; 
characteristics,  24,  150,  156,  237; 
health,  45;  business  misfortunes, 
164;  impressions  of  Red  River  Val 
ley,  47-48 ;  views  on  abolition,  44- 
45,  76,  77,  78,  84-85;  on  political 
conditions,  98,  232,  279-280,  329, 
330;  on  secession,  89,  103,  306-308, 
330;  on  slavery,  39-40,  44-45,  77, 
83,  88-89,  "9,  124,  174,  177,  178, 
241,  376 ;  feels  delicacy  of  southern 
position,  44;  fears  influence  of 
brother's  stand,  76,  77,  83,  88,  102, 
118,  121,  154,  157,  176;  can  not  in 
fluence  brother,  281;  considers 
brother  fair,  119;  fears  no  out 
break,  280;  believes  government 
should  act,  357,  360;  in  New  Or 
leans,  75-76;  in  Alexandria,  55-56; 
in  Baton  Rouge,  175;  desires  to 
bring  family  south,  184,  213;  to 
visit  Ohioi,  185,  305 ;  offer  of  Lon 
don  position,  85,  98,  102,  152,  153- 
155,  160,  161,  175,  179,  180-181,  183- 
184,  191,  259;  condition  of  remain 
ing,  161,  164,  170,  183;  decides  to 
remain,  190,  191;  hesitates  to  bring 
family  south,  265,  266 ;  decides  to 
leave  family  north,  192,  193,  257, 
278,  282,  286,  292,  296,  301 ;  goes 
north,  187-193,  247;  avoids  politics, 
286;  advised  to  vote,  296,  303;  not 
questioned  as  to  political  inten 
tions,  297;  decides  not  to  vote,  304; 
plans  if  war  comes,  314,  316;  loyal 
to  government,  318,  341;  outlines 
course  of  conduct,  317-318;  opposes 
seizure  of  arsenal,  335;  excused 
from  hostile  act,  339;  established 
in  St.  Louis,  375 ;  goes  to  Washing 
ton,  376;  declines  offer  in  the  War 
Dep't,  378;  receives  army  appoint 
ment,  383  ;  plans  collection,  13  ;  ex 
tracts  from  Memoirs,  13,  15,  55-57, 
175,  253-254,  295-297,  335-337,  368- 


371 ;  letters,  33,  37,  39,  42,  43,  45, 
47,  57,  58,  60,  61,  62,  68,  70,  72,  74, 
75,  77,  78,  84,  86,  88,  90,  91,  93,  98, 
loo,  102,  104,  106,  107,  117,  118,  120, 

124, 125, 127, 128,  131, 132, 137, 139, 

140,  142,  144,  145,  151,  152,  158,  160, 
164,  166,  168,  169,  170,  173,  179,  180, 
183,  185,  187,  189,  190,  192,  193,  194, 

198,  200,  202,  207,  209,  211,  212,  214, 
220,  222,  238,  239,  241,  243,  244,  245, 
247,  250,  254,  257,  259,  262,  264,  275, 
277,  283,  288,  292,  294,  301,  302,  304, 
305,  308,  309,  311,  313,  314,  316,  317, 

325,  328,  329,  331,  332,  337,  338,  340, 
34i,  342,  343,  344,  347,  348,  35*,  354, 
357,  359,  364,  365,  375,  378,  380,  381 

AS  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  LOUISIANA 

State  Seminary:  advised  of  position, 
22-23 ;  application,  26 ;  Graham 
recommends,  23-24;  elected,  13,  16, 
25;  appointment,  29;  salary,  23,  59, 
93,  132-133,  153,  156-157,  161,  170, 
181-182,  321,  footnote,  339,  344,  345, 
350,  354,  357,  36i,  362,  368;  seeks 
advice,  40-42,  55;  disapproves  of 
seminary  name,  57;  prepares  for 
opening,  57 ;  sees  supervisors,  59 ; 
in  Baton  Rouge,  168-175;  prepares 
circular,  57,  203,  206,  223-232 ;  noti 
fies  faculty,  68 ;  prepares  regula 
tions,  58,  60;  personal  supervision 
of  printing,  275,  277 ;  opening,  68- 
69,  101 ;  plans  work,  33-34;  duties 
at  seminary,  87,  90,  117;  takes  active 
charge,  60,  98-99,  104;  encouraged 
in  work,  131,  170;  given  ample 
authority,  73 ;  fears  curtailment  of 
power,  199,  235,  248,  249;  trouble 
with  students,  128-129,  138-139,  140- 

141,  142-147,  220-222 ;  trouble  with 
supervisors,  146,  264;  authority  cur 
tailed,    262,    264-265,    283-284;    en 
courages     visitors,     99 ;     plans     for 
equipment    and    supplies,    70,    248, 
254,  256,  258,  261,  263,  264;  military 
equipment,  253,  254,  260,  264,  273- 
274,   317,    323,    346;    improvements, 
121-122,  132,  187,   189-190;   prefers 


INDEX 


397 


seminary  made  military  academy, 
169;  fears  rigid  military  discipline, 
71 ;  expects  military  system  weak 
ened,  213 ;  financial  affairs  of  semi 
nary,  105,  198-199,  202,  204,  245, 
246,  349 ;  absence  from  seminary, 
186-187;  vacation  plans,  216,  250; 
examinations,  239;  reports,  106,  321- 
325,  328;  last  formal  act  as  supt, 
361-362;  winds  up  affairs  at  semi 
nary,  335;  causes  leading  to,  and 
resignation,  182-183,  307,  309,  ,311, 
312-313,  315,  326,  331,  338,  341-342, 
344,  345,  347,  359,  3^2,  363;  asked 
to  suggest  successor,  320;  prepares 
to  leave,  364;  departure  regretted, 
350-351,  353-354;  receives  resolu 
tion  of  thanks,  363 ;  resolutions  from 
Academic  Board,  375 ;  secures  grant 
for  seminar}-,  384;  aids  professors 
and  students  during  war,  384;  see 
Cadets,  Disciplinary  Methods,  Fa 
culty,  Louisiana  State  Seminary 

Sherman,  Mrs.  Wm.  T:  53,  98,  124, 
187;  wishes  Sherman  to  accept  Lon 
don  position,  153,  180;  willing  to  go 
South,  266 ;  prepares  fruit,  291 ;  will 
remain  north,  42,  319;  postpones 
visit  south,  337 

Sherman,  Willie  (son  of  Wm.  T. 
Sherman)  :  126,  313,  337,  367,  372, 
376 

Slavery:  39,  360;  slaves  in  university, 
90;  cost  of  slaves,  119;  North  op 
poses,  43-44;  hostile  laws,  311; 
South  believes  endangered,  358;  in 
Va.,  Ky.,  Tenn.,  Mo.,  357-358;  sub 
ject  of  discord,  77 ;  excuse  for  se 
cession,  275,  329,  366,  376;  common, 
223;  necessary,  124-125,  174;  must 
continue,  241,  245,  272-273,  306; 
made  national,  279-280;  Republi 
cans  will  not  interfere,  286 ;  in  terri 
tories,  263,  287,  290,  296;  covers 
sufficient  territory,  280;  causes 
Sherman  uneasiness,  75,  76 ;  causes 
political  anxiety,  343 ;  results  of 
slave  labor,  242;  Sherman's  views, 


39-40,  44,  77,  83,  88-89,  119,  124, 
174,  177-178,  211-212,  241,  376;  see 
Abolition  movement 

Slidell,  Mr.  — :  300 

Smith,  CoL  (supt.  of  Va.  Mil.  Inst.)  : 
32,  35,  204 

Smith,  Francis  W.  (member  of  facul 
ty) :  36,  84,  99,  122,  127,  128,  138, 
139,  144,  151,  152,  158,  185,  187, 
193,  207,  276,  282,  297,  319,  371, 
376;  elected  member  of  faculty,  25, 
26;  account,  32;  portrait,  27; 
charge  of  bill  of  fare,  166; 
charge  of  recreation  and  military 
control,  186;  goes  to  races,  207-208; 
in  New  York,  263 ;  meets  Sherman, 
264;  .under  Vallas,  265;  objects  to 
assisting  Vallas,  276;  willing  to  be 
of  service,  277;  classes,  277;  op 
posed  to  secession,  307 ;  charge  of 
munition,  etc.,  351,  368;  arsenal 
duties,  343 ;  suggested  for  military 
command,  345;  thanks  Sherman, 
372;  enters  Confederate  service, 
384;  killed,  384;  letters,  276,  371 

Smith,  Capt.  G.  W:  182,  198 

Smith,  Richard:  30,  34 

Smith,  Dr.  S.  A.  (member  of  Board 
of  Supervisors)  :  15,  59,  64,  65,  99, 
123,  130,  132,  152,  155,  156,  157,  161, 
163,  166,  168,  179,  187,  189,  193,  194, 
201,  288,  317,  327,  332,  353,  362,  373, 
378,  383;  characteristics,  237; 
sounds  Sherman  for  views,  87 ;  op 
poses  military  system,  162,  169,  268; 
advocates  University  of  Virginia  as 
model,  218  and  footnote',  sanctions 
military  character,  171 ;  advocates 
new  system,  198 ;  leader  of  appro 
priation  bill,  168 ;  hopes  for  appro 
priation,  182;  gets  bill  through,  188  ; 
unfitted  for  connection  with  semi 
nary,  237 ;  to  secure  arms,  247 ; 
wants  reports,  107;  reports  placed 
with,  329;  intent  on  politics,  310; 
conservative,  311;  Sherman  notifies 
of  resignation,  342 ;  wishes  Sherman 
to  delay  resignation,  338,  341,  352; 


398 


SHERMAN  AS  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT 


does  not  believe  war  inevitable, 
362;  anticipates  peace,  338;  calls 
supervisors  meeting,  354;  Sherman 
plans  to  meet,  364;  Sherman  meets 
in  New  Orleans,  366;  settles  semi 
nary  business,  368;  willing  to  ex 
change  information  with  Sherman, 
375;  joins  company,  379;  letter, 
359;  see  Supervisors 

Social  Conditions:  among  faculty,  193, 
195,  200,  207-208.  Amusements  — 
party,  209-210,  361 ;  public  examina 
tions,  235;  celebration,  238,  239- 
240;  nutting,  291;  ball,  371.  Hos 
pitality—  48,  286;  of  Graham,  30; 
of  Bragg,  53,  54;  of  Gov.  Moore, 
56;  gift  of  mutton,  61 ;  Sherman  de 
pendent  on,  188;  Sherman  encour 
ages,  240;  wishes  to  extend,  375- 
376 

South  Carolina:  67,  175,  302,  315,  318, 
333>  34° I  political  conditions,  212; 
radical,  118;  favors  Breckenridge, 
272,  288 ;  no  sympathy  with  Ken 
tucky,  280 ;  forced  to  act,  308 ; 
ready  for  secession,  304,  306,  307 ; 
determined  to  secede,  308,  319;  se 
ceded,  317;  see  Charleston 

Southern  States:  67,  77,  211,  304,  358, 
377;  ready  to  follow  S.  Car.'s  lead, 
302,  317;  general  convention,  351; 
some  may  secede  again,  366 

Spencer,  —  (cadet)  :  wish  to  return, 
246 

Stafford,  —  (cadet)  :  220,  221 

Steptoe,  Mr.  — :  220 

Stone,  Capt.  — :  Sherman  suggests  as 
successor,  180 

Supervisors,  Board  of:  14;  meets  and 
plans  for  seminary,  19;  membership, 
62;  governor,  president  of,  55; 
Moore  appoints  unwisely,  205 ;  elect 
faculty,  24-26;  busy  with  personal 
affairs,  60;  duties,  62-63;  appoint 
cadets,  79;  advertise  school,  134; 
control  leave  of  absence,  244;  de 
termine  relations  between  supt.  and 
faculty,  205 ;  determine  Sherman's 


authority,  248 ;  curtail  Sherman's 
authority,  264-265 ;  change  plans, 
277;  leave  details  to  Sherman,  105; 
depend  on  Sherman,  118,  341;  ap 
prove  regulations,  149;  consider 
regulations,  248 ;  requisitions  sub 
mitted  to,  248 ;  committee  meets 
faculty,  57;  meeting,  73,  193-194, 
200-201,  220,  259,  354,  359;  lack 
quorum,  64;  quorum  difficult  to  se 
cure,  64-65 ;  military  system  for 
seminary,  62,  89,  132,  216;  policy 
causes  anxiety,  235;  should  be  near 
seminary,  236;  controversy,  299; 
Sherman's  last  report,  321-325;  en 
grossed  with  political  affairs,  352; 
accept  Sherman's  resignation,  362; 
resolutions,  160,  362;  elect  Col.  Lay 
as  supt,  383 

TALIAFERRO,  —  (cadet):  98,  238;  en 
ters  union  navy,  384 

Taylor,  Col.  J.  P:  156,  172 

Taylor,  Richard:  26,  81,  168,  169,  176, 
177,  1 80,  219,  315 

Taylor,  Zachary:  274 

Tempel,  Mr.  —  (first  cadet)  :  98 

Tennessee:  67,  128,  306,  344,  357;  se 
cession  probable,  380.  Cities  — 
Beer-Sheba  Springs,  30;  Jackson, 
191;  Memphis,  194;  Nashville,  140 

Terrebonne   (Parish  in  La.)  :  81 

Texas:  67,  273,  336;  slave  territory, 
280;  ready  for  secession,  306,  307, 
308.  C ities  —  Brownsville,  336;  Na- 
cogdoches,  273 

Text-books:  34,  231-232,  257,  263,  324; 
suggested,  42;  ordered,  61-62,  78; 
plans  for  securing,  69;  received,  91, 
104;  difficulties  in  securing,  101 ; 
purchased,  264  , 

Transportation:  192,  254-255;  accom 
modations,  47-48 ;  on  Mississippi 
River,  45  ;  facilities  in  Alexandria, 
22 ;  river  traffic,  265 ;  navigation 
closed,  288;  by  mail-coach,  56;  de 
lays,  43,  193,  308;  roundabout,  190- 
191;  journey  south,  194;  difficult, 


INDEX 


399 


202;  freight,  256-258,  273,  275,  278, 

281,  288,  291,  292-293,  294 
Trowbridge,  — :  Sherman  suggests  as 

successor,  180 
Tucker,  Beverly:  158 
Turner,  Mr.  — :  urges  Sherman  to  go 

to  St.  Louis,  359 
Turner,  Henry:  154 

UNIVERSITY  OF  VIRGINIA:  26,  32,  97, 

133 
Utah:  290 

VALLAS,  DR.  ANTHONY  (member  of 
faculty) :  30,  57,  69,  94,  95,  127,  128, 
139,  145,  187,  190,  215,  384;  elected, 
25;  account,  32;  portrait,  27;  ar 
rival  announced,  54;  characteristics, 
60;  rents  house,  60;  residence  for, 
86,  282,  286,  292;  interest  in  work, 
103;  charge  of  correspondence,  186; 
refuses  share  in  military  system,  205  ; 
forbidden  to  preach  regularly,  244, 
footnote ;  unable  to  control,  265; 
wants  more  authority,  265  and  foot 
note  ;  Manning  instigates  to  rebel, 
266-267;  assistant,  276,  294,  289; 
indifferent  to  secession  movement, 
307 ;  not  to  succeed  as  superintend 
ent,  339;  assumes  authority,  371; 
superintendent  pro  tern.,  384;  ex 
tract  from  Memoir,  205 

Virginia:  25,  35,  64,  67,  176,  280,  299, 
344,  357,  381,  382;  slavery  weak  in, 
306 ;  news  of  panic,  308 ;  influence, 
380.  Cities  -  Lexington,  21,  32,  35, 
65,  129,  134,  199,  269;  Norfolk,  32; 
Richmond,  36;  Virginia  Springs, 
242 

Virginia  Military  Institute:  26,  31,  32, 


134;  desirable  to  adopt  code,  35-36; 
to  visit,  38;  supplies,  38;  to  serve 
as  model,  19,  21,  58,  65,  97,  135, 
216,  217,  269 

WASHINGTON,  D.C:  n,  13,  19,  33,  37, 
103,  156,  158,  191,  195,  215,  219, 
244,  247,  274,  316,  317,  323,  340, 
344,  345,  364,  365;  Sherman  visits, 
253 ;  Sherman  visits  for  military 
equipment,  256,  257 

West  Point  (N.Y.) :  16,  23,  26,  33,  52, 
55,  102,  129,  199,  294,  366;  uni 
forms,  38;  course  good,  41-42;  fur 
nishings,  36;  Graham  student  of, 
48 ;  favors  system,  73 ;  system  of 
grading,  108 ;  seminary  resembles, 
226 ;  Beauregard  escapes  superin- 
tendency,  242;  Henry  Beauregard 
prepares  for,  242,  298 

Whittington,  Miss  — :  255,  256,  257, 

259 

Whittington,  W.  W.  (member  of 
Board  of  Supervisors)  :  24,  35,  57, 
215,  264,  361 

Wickliffe,  R.  C.  (gov.  of  La.) :  14,  15, 
26,  29,  30,  37,  47,  106,  127,  131,  132, 
153,  203,  344;  advertises  for  faculty, 
19-20,  21 ;  presides  at  Board  meet 
ing,  24;  informs  successful  appli 
cants,  29;  toasts  Sherman,  33; 
Sherman  reports  to,  55 ;  recommen 
dation  of  no  value,  169;  letters,  26, 
29 

Williamson,  Major:  32 

Winn,  Col.  Walter  0 :  24 

Wise,  Gov.  — :  273 

Wise,  Mr.  — :  156 

YANCEY,  W.  L:  232,  297 


